Judging the risk involved

The rapid increase in academies and Free Schools sets a new challenge when it comes to whose responsibility it is for health and safety. Whereas traditionally, local authorities managed health and safety in schools, these new establishments are free to undertake their own arrangements. This means the school and its governors, as the employer, are responsible for ensuring that their legal responsibilities for health and safety are met; this also means making sure that teachers, staff, visitors and parents are confident that both their and the pupils’ safety is being taken seriously in school and on off-site visits.

Types of school
The overall responsibility for health and safety in other types of school is as follows: for community schools, community special schools, voluntary controlled schools, maintained nursery schools and pupil referral units, the employer is the local education authority (LEA). For foundation schools, foundation special schools and voluntary aided schools, the employer is usually the governing body, as in the case of academies and Free Schools. For independent schools, the employer is usually the governing body or proprietor.

School life is made up of many activities which take place in a wide range of settings. As well as classroom-based activities, there are, for example, school visits, the use of leisure facilities and play equipment, work experience placements and journeys in minibuses and on coaches. The employer should ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of its employees and anyone else affected by its actions.

Risk Assessments
As an employer, schools should treat risk assessment and risk management as important tools to enable children to undertake activities safely – and not to prevent activities from taking place. Risk assessments and risk management set in motion a process of thinking about risks and how best to tackle them. It does not mean writing a risk assessment for every activity, but some activities, such as a school trip, can involve higher levels of risk and so a specific assessment of significant risks may be necessary. In summary, it is about striking the right balance by keeping risks under control and judging the risk of doing something against the cost of not doing it. This is an approach from which you can gauge what safety issues might need to be overcome, not to encourage children to become risk averse. It is good practice for pupils to be involved in the risk assessment as this is an important part of the preparation for adult life.

Many LEAs will no longer provide a health and safety support service and some academies and Free Schools may choose to make their own arrangements, even when health and safety is still within the LEA’s remit. It is good practice for individual schools to draw up their own health and safety policies. RoSPA has produced guidance for schools to help in this area. The ‘Framework for a School Health and Safety Policy’ is available at tinyurl.com/bsc5shk

Setting a policy is a great opportunity to make health and safety a ‘whole school’ issue that is owned by everyone – teachers, other staff members including lunchtime supervisors, office workers and facilities staff, and importantly, pupils. When developing a policy, try to focus on encouraging a school ethos that positively promotes safety and health. Find out what the children know and understand about safety (for example, you could involve them in safety audits, surveys and research projects), consult the school council, and remember to seek the ideas and views of non-teaching members of staff. Look for opportunities to link your policy to other initiatives, such as the Healthy Schools programme and the development of a School Travel Plan.

Ofsted input
It is worth noting that although there is a drive to reduce the so-called ‘burden’ of health and safety, it still has a significant input into the new Ofsted inspection framework (2012), which is more important than ever in ensuring high standards in schools.

Incorporating safety and risk education into the curriculum as part of your policy would pay dividends. Risk education is not about isolating pupils from all potential hazards. It is about equipping them to deal with situations safely (see www.lasersafety.org.uk for information about interactive safety education schemes that operate across the country). Sharing good practice with your counterparts in other schools is a good way to go, as is making effective use of local and national safety organisations.

Further information
www.rospa.com/safetyeducation/
help@rospa.com