Distington Community School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and well-being of its pupils, engages with young people and staff in Policy and practice developments, proactively encourages feedback and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment

Safeguarding the welfare of all children is the number one priority at Distington Community School. 

We have high standards in terms of supporting children and protecting them for any potential harm.

All staff and volunteers at Distington Community School are required to adhere to the school's code of conduct for staff and other adults.  

All posts involving direct contact with children are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and the successful applicant will be required to hold or undergo a suitable enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure.  However, amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 & 2020)) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected'.  These are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be considered.  Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.

Short-listed candidates will be asked to complete a criminal record self-disclosure form to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered or protected, to be returned to the school prior to the date of the interview.  You may be asked for further information about your criminal history during the recruitment process.  If your application is successful, this criminal record self-disclosure information will be checked against information from the Disclosure & Barring Service before your appointment is confirmed. 

In addition to the above, the school reserves the right to carry out an online search on short-listed candidates.  This will only include a search for information which is publicly available online.

Please note it is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.