Health and Safety Policy

Policy Statement

This policy covers staff, pupils, visitors and other users of the premises. The Senior Leadership Team and Directors are committed to ensuring 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 Senior Leadership Team and Directors have 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.

• Seek advice from other organisations or professionals, as and when necessary.

• Provide a working environment that is safe and healthy.

• Provide adequate welfare facilities for staff & pupils.

• Review and monitor the effectiveness of this policy.

The Headteacher is responsible for the day to day running of the school. They will:

• Promote a positive, open health and safety culture in school.

• Report to SLT and Directors on key health and safety issues.

• 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

Heads and Deputy Heads of Department within the school will support the Headteacher in their role. They will:

• Deal with any hazardous practices, equipment or building issues and report to the Headteacher if they remain unresolved.

• Provide a good example, guidance and support to staff on health and safety issues.

• Inform new staff about health and safety within the school.

• Carry out investigations into accidents and report to the SLT. 2

The Maintenance Staff is responsible for day to day maintenance and other buildings/grounds issues. They will:

• Ensure that any work that has health and safety implications is prioritised.

• Report any concerns regarding unresolved hazards in school to the SLT immediately.

• Ensure that all work under their control is undertaken in a safe manner.

• Regularly check the grounds and building to spot any disrepair or other hazards such as broken glass etc. in the play areas.

• Carry out a weekly test of the fire alarm

• Ensure all contractors are informed about health and safety issues in the school.

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.

In accordance with the school rules and procedures on discipline, Students 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.

Accidents and Incident Recording

• All serious accidents and incidents should be recorded in the office (for Primary and Secondary) and Preschool using the appropriate documentation.

• From September 2017, in the case of accidents, a copy of the documentation will be given to the parents.

Administration of Medicines

• Medication is only administered to pupils when the parental consent form has been completed.

• 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 in the school office.

• The only exceptions to this are asthma medication and ‘epipens’ (following discussion with parents) which may be kept in appropriate locations, out of the reach of other pupils, as appropriate

• The doses administered during the school day are to be kept to the minimum, e. g. a course of antibiotics requiring four doses a day - only one dose (lunchtime) will normally need to be administered at school.

Control of Hazardous Substances

• The use of hazardous substances in school will be kept to a minimum

• The Maintenance staff (with appropriate support from senior managers) will keep a record of all hazardous substances used on site.

Display Screen Equipment

• For members of staff with ‘desk based jobs’ workstation assessments will be carried out on an annual basis.

Educational Visits

• All off site trips will be subject to risk assessment and the requirements of the school’s educational visits guidance.

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.

• A fire drill is practised and documented at least once a year

• Evacuation times and any issues which arise are reported to the SLT.

• Fire extinguishers are checked annually.

First Aid Provision

• The school has first aiders and first aid kits in each department/location across the site.

• Portable first aid kits are taken on educational visits.

• If it is deemed appropriate, 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.

Manual Handling

• Students and staff must only lift equipment and furniture within their own individual capability.

• Manual handling training will be provided for appropriate members of staff including, if necessary, include how to lift pupils safely.

Playground Equipment

• Playground equipment and its use is supervised during all breaks during the school day.

• If the equipment is used during lesson time, supervision is again maintained.

• A decision is made and enforced if wet weather means that equipment becomes unsafe to use on a particular day.

Playground Supervision

• Appropriate levels of supervision will be maintained in playgrounds at all times.

Risk Assessment

• The school will undertake risk assessments for curriculum based activities in school, school visits and the running of the school building and grounds as necessary.

• The SLT 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.

Slips Trips and Falls on the Level

• Appropriate controls have been put in place regarding working procedures for mopping floors, absorbent floor mats near entrances and regular hazard spotting inspections.

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 within 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.

Training

• Health and safety and first aid training needs are assessed annually.

Working at Height

• All Maintenance and other staff who under take working at heights follow specific guidance and/or have received appropriate training.

• Teaching and other staff who assist in putting up displays in school must:
  Use appropriate access equipment - step ladders, kick stools etc.
  Wear flat shoes whilst putting up displays.
  Not climb on furniture to put up displays