Nicola Afteni
Safeguarding and Child Protection, Designated Teacher for CLA pupils and Transition Lead
Hall Mead School
Nicola is an Assistant Headteacher at Hall Mead School. She has been teaching for 19 years as a science teacher. She has led department and pastoral teams and has been a Child Protection Officer since 2009 and subsequently the Designated Safeguarding Lead since 2015 for Hall Mead School. She is responsible for the line management of a number of faculties and has helped develop and coach members of staff.
Nicola has been the lead teacher for transition since 2004, supporting children as they move from primary school to secondary school. She has developed strong relationships with feeder schools during this period.
Nicola has attended many LSCB courses and completed safeguarding CPD training. Nicola belongs to a wide range of safeguarding forums and keeps up to date with contextual safeguarding and other safeguarding statutory guidance.
In a recent Essex CLA monitoring visit in May 2019, the school was commended for its tracking, monitoring and support for CLA pupils and PLAC. Nicola has recently launched a new software system to record and track safeguarding issues within her school.
Nicola was awarded a Jack Petchey outstanding leader certificate in November 2016 for encouraging and motivating young people in an exceptional way.
Nicola would be happy to support any new member of staff as a Designated Teacher for CLA pupils, Child Protection Officer, DSL for their school or a member of staff involved in primary transition.