Health and Safety Policy
Policy Statement
This policy covers staff, pupils, visitors and other users of the premises. It aims to show that the staff, pupils, visitors and other users of the premises is in good health and Safety at Work etc.
The Management Team of the School and the Governing Body are committed to ensure the Health and Safety of everybody involved in the school. We aim to:

  • Ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure the health, safety and welfare of users of the premises and all participants in school trips.
  • Establish and maintain safe working procedures for staff and pupils.
  • To provide and maintain safe school buildings and safe equipment for use in school.
  • Develop safety awareness, by appropriate training if necessary, amongst staff, pupils and others who help in school.
  • Formulate and implement effective procedures for use in the event of fire and other emergencies.
  • Investigate accidents and take steps to prevent a re-occurrence.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Governing Body has ultimate control of the school. They will:

  • Decide policy.
  • Give strategic guidance.
  • Monitor and review health and safety issues.
  • Ensure adequate resources for health and safety are available.
  • Take steps to ensure plant, equipment and systems of work are safe.
  • Ensure that the school provides adequate training, information, instruction, induction and supervision to enable everyone in the school to be safe.
  • Maintain the premises in a condition that is safe and without significant risk.
  • Provide a working environment that is safe and healthy.
  • Provide adequate welfare facilities for staff & pupils.
  • In their critical friend role, maintain an interest in all the health and safety matters.
  • Review and monitor the effectiveness of this policy.
The Principal and the Head Teacher responsible for the day to day running of the school. They will:

  • Promote a positive, open health and safety culture in school
  • Report to Governors on key health and safety issues
  • Seek advice from other organizations or professionals, such as the Health and Safety Executive, safety advisers etc. as and when necessary
  • Ensure that all staff co-operate with the policy
  • Devise and implement safety procedures
  • Ensure that risk assessments are reviewed on an annual basis
  • Ensure relevant staff have access to appropriate training
  • Meet with the Facilities Manager every week to ensure any building/grounds issues are dealt with in a timely manner.
All School Staff will:

  • Read the Health and Safety Policy
  • Comply with the School’s health and safety arrangements
  • Take reasonable care of their own and other people’s health and safety
  • Leave the classroom / playground / office in a reasonably tidy and safe condition
  • Follow safety instructions when using equipment
  • Supervise pupils and advise them on how to use equipment safely
  • Report practices, equipment or physical conditions that may be hazardous to their line manager and/or the appropriate member of staff
  • Follow the accident reporting procedure (which is a separate document)
  • Contribute to and highlight any gaps in the school’s risk assessments
In accordance with the school rules and procedures on discipline, Pupils will:

  • Follow safety and hygiene rules intended to protect the health and safety of themselves and others
  • Follow safety instructions of teaching and support staff, especially in an emergency
Administration of Medicines
  • Medication is only administered to pupils when the parental consent form has been completed
  • The medicine will be administered by one nominated member of staff for each pupil and appropriate records kept
  • Medicines are only administered during school time when they have been prescribed by a child’s GP or other relevant medical professional
  • Medicines are kept in a locked cupboard(First Aid box) in the school sick bay
  • The only exceptions to this are asthma medication and any other critical health problem.
Electrical Testing
  • All items of portable electrical equipment in school are inspected and checked annually
Fire Safety & Evacuation of the Building
  • Fire exits have appropriate signage
  • Plans showing exit routes are displayed by the door of each classroom
  • Fire extinguishers are checked annually
  • A separate fire safety policy and risk assessment has been produced
First Aid Provision
  • The school has carried out a first aid risk assessment to ascertain the required number of first aiders and the location / number of first aid kits
  • Portable first aid kits are taken on educational visits
  • If the risk assessment dictates that it is necessary, a qualified first aider will be present on the trip
Food Technology
Cooking equipment including ovens and hobs will only be used if fire precautions and appropriate risk assessments are in place:
  • Staff must be satisfied that the tasks undertaken are appropriate for the pupils concerned
  • Close supervision will be appropriate for riskier parts of the cooking process, i.e. taking food in or out of hot ovens
Playground Equipment

  • Playground equipment and it’s use is supervised during all breaks during the school day
  • If the equipment is used during lesson time supervision is again maintained
Playground Supervision

  • Appropriate levels of supervision will be maintained in playgrounds as described in the playground risk assessment
Risk Assessment
  • The school maintains a comprehensive set of risk assessments that cover curriculum based activities in school; school visits and the running of the school building and grounds
  • They are all available on the school central server for staff to inspect and refer to as necessary
  • The management team will take steps to ensure that appropriate staff are aware of the risk assessments appropriate to their role and will monitor compliance with control measures specified in the risk assessments
  • All risk assessments are reviewed on an annual basis (except risk assessments for school trips which should be reviewed each time the trip takes place)
Stress at Work
  • Proactive - the Council’s templates for Stress Risk Assessment are used in order to identify how levels of stress (caused by work) amongst staff can be reduced
  • Reactive – individuals who are identified to be suffering from excessive levels of stress (caused by work or personal issues) are supported in accordance with the school’s welfare policies and, if necessary, by accessing the Employee Health and Well being Service.
Supervision of Pupils
  • Sensible, safe behaviour will be promoted to pupils by all members of staff
  • Dangerous or risky behaviour displayed by pupils will be addressed and dealt with in the school rules
  • Pupils will only be allowed into or stay in classrooms under adult supervision
Appropriate supervision of cloakrooms and toilet access will be in place at busy times.