How Clifton Preparatory School transformed their child protection policies and created a safer learning environment for all students.
An endorsement from Kerri-Lyn Jones, Junior Primary HoD @ Clifton Nottingham Road
It is with sincere appreciation and admiration that I write this endorsement for Linda Smallbones. Linda has been an invaluable partner in supporting and guiding our school through some of the most sensitive and critical aspects of safeguarding and child protection.
During her time consulting with Clifton, Linda brought a wealth of knowledge, practical insight, and a deep sense of compassion to her work. Her professionalism and absolute commitment to confidentiality created a safe and trusted environment for staff to engage meaningfully with challenging issues. I have personally benefited greatly from her calm, fact-based approach and her ability to serve as a sounding board when navigating concerns around harmful sexual behaviour and broader safeguarding matters.
Linda’s contribution to our Safeguarding Committee and her role in upskilling our teaching and management teams through workshops and training sessions have had a lasting impact on our school’s ability to respond appropriately, confidently, and compassionately to safeguarding concerns. Her clarity in aligning practice with policy, as well as her proactive, preventative focus, have been particularly empowering for our staff.
She has always made herself available for consultation, regardless of the complexity or sensitivity of the issue, and consistently upholds the highest ethical and professional standards. Her work has shaped our capacity as educators to respond not just reactively, but with foresight and deep care for the well-being of all children in our care.
I believe Linda’s vision to expand this work into a formalised NGO dedicated to early intervention and prevention of harmful sexual behaviour is both urgently needed and deeply valuable in the broader educational context. I wholeheartedly support her in this initiative and would recommend her services without hesitation to any school committed to the protection and flourishing of its children.
“Linda's contribution to our Safeguarding Committee and her role in upskilling our teaching and management teams through workshops and training sessions have had a lasting impact on our school's ability to respond appropriately, confidently, and compassionately to safeguarding concerns.”