Schools have a duty to protect not only staff but also pupils and visitors. This creates unique challenges - children are inherently less aware of dangers, school activities range from sports to science experiments, and educational visits take students into unfamiliar environments.
This guide covers key health and safety requirements for UK schools and educational settings.
The Legal Framework
Schools must comply with health and safety law, with the employer depending on school type:
- Local authority schools - LA is the employer
- Academies and free schools - Trust is the employer
- Independent schools - Proprietor is the employer
Regardless of who the employer is, practical day-to-day management typically rests with the headteacher and governing body.
Key legislation:
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
DfE guidance provides sector-specific advice that schools should follow.
Who Has Health and Safety Duties?
The Employer
- Overall responsibility for health and safety
- Adequate resources for safety management
- Written policy (if 5+ employees)
- Competent advice
Governing Body/Trustees
- Ensure employer duties are met
- Approve and monitor policy
- Ensure adequate resources
Headteacher
- Day-to-day management
- Implementing policy
- Risk assessments
- Training and supervision
- Reporting to governors
Staff
- Take reasonable care
- Cooperate with safety arrangements
- Report hazards and incidents
- Supervise pupils appropriately
Pupil Safety
Schools have duties to pupils as well as staff under the Health and Safety at Work Act - pupils are "others affected by the undertaking."
Key Principles
- Appropriate supervision
- Safe premises and equipment
- Teaching about risks (appropriate to age)
- Responding to incidents
- Working with parents
Supervision Ratios
No fixed legal ratios exist - supervision must be adequate for the activity and the children involved. Consider:
- Age of pupils
- Nature of activity
- Location and environment
- Any special needs
- Experience of supervising staff
Educational Visits and Trips
Off-site visits present additional risks requiring careful planning.
Planning Requirements
- Purpose and educational value
- Risk assessment for the activity and venue
- Competent staff leaders
- Appropriate ratios
- Emergency procedures
- Parental consent and information
- Insurance cover
Visit Categories
Routine visits: Regular local visits that can be covered by generic risk assessment.
Day visits: Require specific planning and risk assessment.
Residential/adventurous: Most thorough planning required, possibly specialist expertise.
Adventurous Activities
Some activities require providers to be licensed under the Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations (AALA). Schools should check licensing status when booking external providers.
Outdoor Education Advisers Panel (OEAP)
National guidance on educational visits is available through OEAP and should be followed.
Science Safety
Science activities involve hazardous substances, equipment, and procedures.
CLEAPSS
Most schools subscribe to CLEAPSS, which provides comprehensive guidance on science safety:
- Hazard information (Hazcards)
- Risk assessments
- Practical procedures
- Emergency guidance
Key Controls
- Risk assessment for practical activities
- Appropriate supervision
- Correct PPE (eye protection, lab coats)
- Safe storage of chemicals
- Proper disposal of waste
- Competent teaching staff
- Emergency procedures
Specific Hazards
- Chemicals (COSHH applies)
- Biological materials
- Electrical equipment
- Heat sources
- Radiation sources (sealed sources in physics)
- Fume cupboards
Fire Safety
Schools must have robust fire safety arrangements.
Fire Risk Assessment
Required under the Fire Safety Order, identifying:
- Fire hazards
- People at risk (including pupils with disabilities)
- Control measures
- Emergency procedures
Key Measures
- Working fire alarm system
- Regular fire drills
- Clear escape routes
- Staff trained in procedures
- Arrangements for disabled pupils
- Fire safety education for pupils
Drill Frequency
Fire drills should be conducted at least termly, and more frequently at the start of the school year when new pupils arrive.
Asbestos
Many school buildings contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).
Duty to Manage
Schools must:
- Know where asbestos is (survey)
- Assess its condition
- Manage it (usually leave undisturbed if good condition)
- Inform contractors before work
- Monitor condition
Before Any Building Work
Always check the asbestos register before any work that could disturb building fabric - even putting up displays.
Playground Safety
Playgrounds must be safe while allowing appropriate play.
Equipment
- Meets safety standards (BS EN 1176)
- Regular inspection (daily visual, more formal periodic)
- Impact-absorbing surfaces
- Age-appropriate
- Proper maintenance
Supervision
- Adequate supervision during break times
- Clear behaviour expectations
- Response procedures for injuries
Violence and Challenging Behaviour
Schools face risks from violent or challenging behaviour.
Prevention
- Clear behaviour policies
- Training for staff
- Risk assessment for known risks
- Support for pupils with challenging behaviour
- Safe working practices
Response
- De-escalation techniques
- Physical intervention only as last resort
- Recording and reporting
- Support for affected staff
- Review and learning
Staff Wellbeing
Teaching is associated with high levels of work-related stress.
Contributing Factors
- Workload
- Pupil behaviour
- Inspection pressures
- Resource constraints
- Work-life balance
School Response
- Monitor workload
- Support for wellbeing
- Clear expectations
- Access to support services
- Recognition of stress as occupational health issue
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The academy trust is the employer. Health and safety responsibilities sit with the trust, though day-to-day management is typically delegated to the headteacher. Multi-academy trusts should have clear arrangements for safety management across schools.
Yes. All staff need appropriate training for their roles. This includes general awareness, specific training for activities they supervise (science, PE, etc.), and training on school procedures. Training needs should be assessed and recorded.
Activities should be managed, not automatically banned. Risk assessment identifies hazards and controls. Many traditional activities are safe with proper management. Blanket bans should be avoided - they remove learning opportunities and can make children less able to manage risk themselves.
Provide first aid, contact parents as appropriate, record the incident. Serious injuries may require RIDDOR reporting (to the employer). Investigate to prevent recurrence. Insurance claims may follow - ensure your account of events is accurate.
For routine local visits during school hours, a general consent at admission is usually sufficient. For visits involving higher risk, travel, or activities outside school hours, specific informed consent should be obtained. Provide enough information for parents to make informed decisions.
Summary
School health and safety covers:
- Pupil safety - appropriate supervision, safe premises and activities
- Educational visits - proper planning, risk assessment, competent leadership
- Subject-specific risks - science, technology, PE each have particular requirements
- Fire safety - robust procedures, regular drills, trained staff
- Asbestos management - knowing where it is, controlling disturbance
- Staff wellbeing - recognising workload and stress as safety issues
Effective safety management enables great education - it shouldn't prevent activities but ensure they're done safely.
Related content
Topics:
- Fire Safety - Fire risk assessment and compliance
- Asbestos - Asbestos awareness and management
- Workplace Safety - General workplace requirements
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*This guidance covers key health and safety requirements for UK schools and educational settings. It is not exhaustive and does not constitute legal advice.