Safeguarding

Safeguarding the welfare of children and young people is of paramount importance in all online tuition provided. Nick Gardner is a fully qualified and experienced secondary school teacher and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct, safety, and child protection in all remote learning environments.

Commitment to Safeguarding

All online tuition is delivered in line with the principles of Keeping Children Safe in Education and recognised safeguarding best practice. The safety, wellbeing, and dignity of students are prioritised in every online interaction.

DBS, ACRO and Professional Standing

  • Enhanced DBS check is held, up to date and available to for clients to view.

  • ACRO certificate available upon request.

  • Qualified teacher status with over a decade of experience in leading UK independent schools and clean record.

  • Fully trained in statutory safeguarding responsibilities and reporting procedures.

Online Tuition Safety

  • Lessons are conducted exclusively via secure, reputable platforms (Zoom and Teams).

  • Students are required to have their camera and microphone on, to use a blurred background, and to be in an appropriate setting/room (not bedroom), dressed appropriately.

  • Sessions are strictly professional, curriculum-focused, and age-appropriate. Prior notice will be given to parents if a session involves sensitive topics such as human reproduction or drugs.

  • Tuition takes place at pre-arranged times only.

  • Parents/guardians are welcome to be present or nearby during sessions. Sessions can be recorded upon request.

  • No tuition is conducted via social media, gaming platforms, or informal messaging apps.

Communication and Professional Boundaries

  • Clear, professional boundaries are maintained at all times.

  • Communication regarding lessons, scheduling, and administration is conducted with parents/guardians.

  • No private or unscheduled communication with students.

  • No social media contact with students.

  • All interactions are limited to agreed educational purposes.

Reporting Concerns

Any safeguarding concern arising during online tuition will be taken seriously and acted upon promptly, following established safeguarding procedures. Where appropriate, concerns will be reported to the student’s school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), local authority children’s services, or local authority children’s social care, as well as informing the parent/guardian unless doing so would place the child at further risk or compromise an investigation.

Safeguarding in online education is not an afterthought - it is a fundamental responsibility and an integral part of how tuition is delivered.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Parents or guardians are welcome to be present or nearby during online lessons at any time. Transparency and openness are actively encouraged.

  • Lessons are not routinely recorded. Recordings will only take place with the prior knowledge and explicit consent of both the parent/guardian and the student.

  • All administrative communication (scheduling, payments, queries) is conducted with parents or guardians. Students are not contacted outside agreed lesson times.

  • Tuition is delivered via secure, reputable platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Social media, gaming platforms, and informal messaging apps are never used for lessons or communication. Students are required to have their camera and microphone on, to use a blurred background, and to be in an appropriate setting, dressed appropriately.

  • Any safeguarding concern is taken seriously and acted upon promptly, in line with established safeguarding procedures. Where appropriate, concerns will be referred to the relevant safeguarding lead or external authorities.

  • Safeguarding is a shared responsibility. While Nick Gardner maintains professional safeguarding standards throughout tuition, parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring an appropriate and safe home learning environment during online sessions.