About Us
For Every Falcon: Safe, Valued, and Ready to Learn
Engaged, enduring learning thrives in a physically and emotionally safe environment. Every member of our community understands that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
At American World School Chennai, the safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority. We recognize that children learn best when they feel secure, respected, and empowered.
All employees and contractors undergo rigorous screening, background checks, and safeguarding training before working with AWS students. Background checks are mandatorily reviewed and renewed every three years. Annual safeguarding training is undertaken by all employees, contract staff, and on-campus vendors.
Secure campus access, visitor protocols, and staff identity checks ensure that all adults on campus can be identified at any time. CCTV and monitoring (where appropriate) is in place in public spaces. Risk assessments are conducted for all campus activities including field trips, off-campus events, and bus transport. Clear codes of conduct apply to staff, students, and all other adults on campus. Leadership annually reviews and revises our Child Protection Policy.
We provide age-appropriate lessons on personal safety, digital wellbeing, respectful relationships, and bullying prevention. Wellbeing and social-emotional learning are integrated across our curriculum. We encourage every Falcon to speak up, ask questions, and seek help whenever they need it.
We have clear procedures for receiving, recording, and responding to concerns and disclosures of harm. Designated Safeguarding Leads support students, families, and staff throughout the process. Referral and support mechanisms are in place for any student who has experienced harm.
Safeguarding is a shared responsibility across our entire community
Our Schoolwide Safeguarding Lead, Divisional Principals, school counselors, psychologists, campus security, HR, and other key staff work together to support the wellbeing of every student.
Every employee is a mandatory reporter of concerns. All staff are expected to uphold the AWS safeguarding culture and fulfil their responsibilities with care and consistency.
Families are our partners in safeguarding. We ask all parents to maintain safe, nurturing interactions with children, reinforce school safety expectations at home, and collaborate with us openly when concerns arise.
We encourage every Falcon to take responsibility for their own wellbeing and that of their peers — to speak up if they feel unsafe, to support one another, and to act with respect, a core AWS value.
We affirm that every child has the right to feel safe and to be safe. We commit to preventing harm, responding swiftly when concerns arise, and supporting recovery and growth. We uphold the highest standards of professional conduct and maintain an inclusive approach to all students regardless of age, ability, background, gender identity, culture, or faith.
Are you a current AWS parent, student, or employee looking for immediate assistance in reporting a safeguarding concern to the school? Contact the AWS Schoolwide Safeguarding Lead [Name] | [Title] [email@aws.edu]
Immediately contact the Schoolwide Safeguarding Lead or a member of the Safeguarding Team. The school will assess, record, and respond according to policy, with the student’s wellbeing as its focus. Confidentiality is maintained to the maximum extent possible. However, when a student is at risk, information may need to be shared with relevant agencies in accordance with applicable laws and our mandatory reporting obligations.
Safeguarding is a shared responsibility. We invite all AWS parents and community members to: understand and support our safeguarding policies and codes of conduct; respect campus rules, visitor protocols, and digital safety norms; inform the school of any change in your family or home situation that may affect a student’s wellbeing; work openly with our staff if a concern arises; and participate in parent workshops and briefings on topics such as student wellbeing, online safety, and bullying prevention.
Our safe, supportive environment is the foundation that every Falcon deserves. It is the heart of our mission — and our number one priority. In partnership with our entire school community, we are committed to upholding and modeling moral and ethical behavior in accordance with the AWS values: honesty, respect, responsibility, kindness, and courage.
Safeguarding Team
All Teachers & Adults on Campus
Our Commitments & Principles
For Urgent Safeguarding Assistance