Female Genital Mutilation

The school understands that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures involving
partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, and know that FGM is illegal in the UK, is a
form of child abuse and has long-lasting harmful consequences. The school is aware that Section 5B
of the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 (as inserted by section 74 of the Serious Crime Act 2015)
places a statutory duty upon teachers to report to the police where they discover that FGM appears to
have been carried out on a girl under 18 years of age. This mandatory duty commenced in October
2015.
Staff are trained in the awareness of the indicators of FGM. If they were to directly observe (if involved
in intimate care) or indirectly become aware of other potential indicators, they must follow the normal
safeguarding process and Child Protection procedures, passing this information to the Senior
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately. The Senior DSL will then assess this information
and make appropriate referrals to MAST and the Police as per their mandatory reporting duty.