Health and Safety Policy

General Risk Assessments
Where a hazard cannot be eliminated, the school conducts and documents risk assessments for all activities presenting a significant risk. Risks are to be controlled using the following hierarchy: Substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as the last resort.

Risk assessments are co-ordinated by the Health and Safety Lead following guidance contained in the Corporate Health and Safety Procedures and are approved by the Headteacher/ School Business Manager. They are available for all staff to view and are held centrally on the shared drive, these assessments will be reviewed on an annual basis or when the work activity changes, whichever is the soonest. Staff will be made aware of any changes to risk assessments relating to their work.

Individual Risk Assessments
Specific assessments relating to staff member(s) or pupil(s) are held on that individual’s file and will be undertaken by the School Business Manager.
Such risk assessments will be reviewed on a regular basis.

It is the responsibility of all staff to inform their line manager of any medical conditions (including pregnancy) which may impact upon their work.

Curriculum Activities
Risk assessments for curriculum activities will be carried out by relevant Heads of subject, supported by the Health and Safety Lead using the relevant codes of practice and model risk assessments detailed below.
Whenever a new course is adopted or developed all activities are checked against these and significant findings incorporated into texts in daily use lesson plan.

All LA schools have a subscription to CLEAPSS and their publications1 are used as sources of model risk assessment within science, art and DT.
In addition, the following publications are used within the school as sources of model risk assessments:

• Be Safe! Health and Safety in primary science and technology, 4th Edition ASE ISBN 978-0-86357-426-9
• National Society for Education in Art & Design (NSEAD) https://www.nsead.org/resources/health-safety
• Safe Practice in Physical Education and School Sport’ Association of PE ‘afPE’ http://www.afpe.org.uk/

¹ CLEAPSS www.cleapss.org.uk , secondary science should be using http://science.cleapss.org.uk/

The LA has adopted the Outdoor Education Advisory Panel (OEAP)’s national guidance for learning outside the classroom. All offsite visits will be planned following this guidance.

The Education Services Health, Safety and Compliance Manager must be notified of all overnight, overseas, or high risk activity trips via the form in the ‘There and Back Again’ Policy, using the Educational Visit Notification Form that can be found on the Services for Schools resource page.

The member of staff planning the trip will submit all relevant paperwork and risk assessments relating to the trip to the school’s Educational Visits Co-ordinator(s) the Assistant Headteacher and School Business Manager who will check the documentation and planning of the trip and if acceptable initially approve the visit before referring to the headteacher for approval.

Educational Visits Policy can be found on the school shared drive.

A general inspection of the site will be conducted on a termly² basis and be undertaken / co-ordinated by the Health and Safety Lead and School Business Manager.

Inspections of individual departments will be carried out by Heads of Department or nominated staff.

In both cases the person(s) undertaking inspection will complete a report in writing and submit this to the Headteacher. Responsibility for following up items detailed in the safety inspection report will rest with the Health and Safety Lead.

The Link Governor for Health and Safety will be involved in monitoring the school’s health and safety management systems on an annual basis and report back to both the relevant sub-committee and full governing body meetings.
Advice and pro forma inspection checklists to assist the monitoring process can be found in the Corporate Health and Safety Procedures.

Inspections will be conducted jointly with the establishment’s health and safety representative(s) if possible.

² Cycle time for formal documented site inspection should be based upon risk, larger schools and/or those with higher risks should be undertaken termly.

The headteacher is responsible for ensuring the school’s fire risk assessment is undertaken and implemented following guidance contained in the Corporate Health and Safety Procedures. The fire risk assessment is located on the Premises Share drive and in the school’s fire log book and will be reviewed on an annual basis.

Emergency Procedures

Fire and emergency evacuation procedures are detailed in the staff handbook / Fire Prevention Policy and schools emergency response plan, with a summary posted in each classroom. These procedures will be reviewed at least annually and are made available to all staff as part of the school’s induction process. This training is supported by regular drills.
Evacuation procedures are also made available to all contractors / visitors.

Emergency exits, fire alarm call points, assembly points etc. are clearly identified by safety signs and notices.
Emergency contact and key holder details are maintained by the School Business Manager.

Fire Drills

• Fire drills will be undertaken termly and results recorded in the fire log book.

Fire Fighting

• Staff must ensure the alarm is raised BEFORE attempting to tackle a fire.
• The safe evacuation of persons is an absolute priority. Staff may only attempt to deal with small fires, if it is safe to do so without putting themselves at risk, using portable firefighting equipment.
• Staff are made aware of the type and location of portable firefighting equipment and receive basic instruction in its correct use at induction.

Details of service isolation points (i.e. gas, water, electricity) An inventory of these will be kept by the Premises Manager.
Details of chemicals and flammable substances on site.
An inventory of these will be kept by the Premises Manager as appropriate, for consultation.

The Premises Manager is responsible for ensuring that the school’s fire log is kept up to date and that the following inspection / maintenance is undertaken and recorded in the fire log book located in Premises Manager and online system.

FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
Fire alarm call points will be tested weekly in rotation. This test will occur on Thursday between 0730-0745
Any defects on the system will be reported immediately to the alarm contractor / electrical engineer ADT on 0344 800 1999.
A fire alarm maintenance contract is in place with ADT and the system tested 6 monthly by them.

FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT
Weekly in-house checks that all firefighting equipment remains available for use and operational.
Tower Fire undertakes an annual maintenance service of all firefighting equipment.
Defective equipment or extinguishers that need recharging should be taken out of service and reported direct to Tower Fire 0845 51 91 883.

EMERGENCY LIGHTING SYSTEMS
These systems will be checked for operation monthly in house and annually a full discharge test and certification of the system will be undertaken by ADT on 0344 800 1999

MEANS OF ESCAPE
Daily checks for any obstructions on exit routes and ensures all final exit doors are operational and available for use.

The school has assessed the need for first aid provision and identified the following staff to provide first aid (both on site and where required for trips/visits and extra-curricular activities)

TRAINED TO EYFS STANDARD (PAEDIATRIC FIRST AID, 2 days/ 12 hrs):
[Insert Names/ date of training /Extension Numbers]

TRAINED TO EMERGENCY FIRST AID AT WORK (1 day / 6 hrs):
[Insert Names/ date of training /Extension Numbers]

First aid qualifications remain valid for 3 years. The School Business Manager will ensure that refresher training is organised to maintain competence and that new persons are trained should first aiders leave.

FIRST AID BOXES ARE LOCATED AT THE FOLLOWING POINTS:
Deputy Heads Office, School Office and First Aid Kits are in all Classrooms.

AEDs (automated external defibrillators) ARE LOCATED AT THE FOLLOWING POINTS³: Music Room

The Media and Communications Officer with the Lead First Aider is responsible for regularly checking (termly) that the contents of first aid boxes are complete and replenished as necessary.

Transport to hospital: Where a first aider considers it necessary, the injured person will be sent directly to hospital (normally by ambulance). Parents / carers will be notified immediately of all major injuries to pupils.
No casualty will be allowed to travel to hospital unaccompanied and an accompanying adult will be designated in situations where the parents/carers cannot be contacted in time.

Where there is any doubt about the appropriate course of action, the first aider will consult with the Health Service helpline (NHS Direct 0845 4647) and, in the case of pupil with the parents/carers.

Administration of medicines
All medication will be administered to pupils in accordance with the DfE document Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions. Detailed arrangements are provided in a separate policy.

No member of staff will administer any medication (prescribed or non-prescribed)to children under 16 without a parent’s written consent except in exceptional circumstances.

The Media and Communications Officer with the Lead First Aider is responsible for accepting medication and checking all relevant information has been provided by parents / carers prior to administering. Records of administration will be kept by The Media and Communications Officer with the Lead First Aider

All non-emergency medication kept in school is securely stored in the lockable cupboard in school office, refrigerated meds kept in clearly labelled container within fridge detail in school office with access strictly controlled. All pupils know how to access their medication. Under no circumstances will medication be stored in first aid boxes.

Emergency medication and devices such as asthma inhalers, blood glucose testing meters and adrenaline pens are always readily available to children and not locked away. These are kept in the school office and clearly labelled.

The school have chosen to hold an emergency salbutamol inhaler for use by pupils who have been prescribed a reliever inhaler and for whom parental consent for its use has been obtained.

Individual Health Care Plans (IHCP)
Parents / carers are responsible for providing the school with up to date information regarding their child’s health care needs and providing appropriate medication.

IHCPs are in place for those pupils with significant medical needs e.g. chronic
or ongoing medical conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, anaphylaxis etc.

The IHCP is developed with the pupil (where appropriate), parent/carer,
designated named member of school staff, specialist nurse (where appropriate) and relevant healthcare services. These plans will be completed at the beginning of the school year / when child enrols / on diagnosis being communicated to the school and will be reviewed annually by the Lead first Aider.

All staff are made aware of any relevant health care needs and copies of health
care plans are available on Medical Tracker and alongside the medication.
Staff will receive appropriate training related to health conditions of pupils and
the administration of medicines by a health professional as appropriate.

³ There is no mandatory requirement for schools to purchase a defibrillator it continues to be dependent on your own risk / needs assessment.

Accidents to employees
Where the LA is the employer, employee and pupil accidents must be reported according to LA guidance.

Accidents to pupils and other non-employees (members of public / visitors to site etc.)
A local accident log is maintained on cognito online forms is used to record all minor incidents to non-employees, more significant incidents as detailed below must also reported to Lewisham Council using the online accident reporting system.

• Major injuries.
• Accidents where significant first aid treatment has been provided.
• Accidents which result in the injured person being taken from the scene of the accident directly to hospital.
• Accidents arising from premises / equipment defects.

All major incidents will be reported to the Headteacher and the Governing Body. Parents / carers will be notified immediately of all major injuries.
Accidents will be monitored for trends and a report made to the Governing Body as necessary.

The Headteacher, or their nominee, will investigate accidents and take remedial steps to avoid similar instances recurring. Faulty equipment, systems of work etc. must be reported and attended to as soon as possible.

Reporting to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Incidents involving a fatality or major injury will be reported immediately to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on 0345 300 9923.

Incidents resulting in the following outcomes must be reported to the HSE via their online reporting system http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/ within 15 days of the incident occurring.

• A pupil or other non-employee being taken directly to hospital for treatment and the accident arising as the result of the condition of the premises / equipment, due to the way equipment or substances were used or due to a lack of supervision / organisation etc.
• Employee absence or inability to carry out their normal duties as the result of a work related accident, for periods of 7 days or more (including W/E’s and holidays).

Any incident notified to the HSE must also be reported to the LA’s Health and Safety Team.

Consultation
We have termly Resources meetings where Health and Safety is a standard agenda item.

The Resources subcommittee / full governing body meets half termly to discuss health, safety and welfare issues affecting staff, pupils or visitors. Action points from meetings are brought forward for review by school management.

Communication of Information
Detailed information on how to comply with the LA’s health and safety policy is given in the Corporate Health and Safety Procedures.

The Health and Safety Law poster is displayed in the school office and staffroom.

Health and Safety Training
All employees will be provided with:

• a copy of and induction training in the requirements of this policy;
• update training in response to any significant change;
• training in specific skills needed for certain activities, (e.g. use of hazardous substances, work at height etc.) and
• refresher training where required.

Any new instructions or restrictions will be communicated to all staff in writing (email), via staff meetings and highlighted as part of the standard cycle of policy review.

Training records will be kept on the SIMs personnel files. The School Business Manager is responsible for co-ordinating health and safety training needs and for including details in the training and development plan. This includes a system for ensuring that refresher training is undertaken within the prescribed time limits.

The Headteacher will be responsible for assessing the effectiveness of training received.

Each member of staff is also responsible for drawing the Headteacher’s / line
managers attention to their own personal needs for training and for not
undertaking duties unless they are confident that they have the necessary
competence.

The school believes that staff should not be expected to put themselves in danger and will not tolerate violent / threatening behaviour to its staff.

Staff will report any such incidents to the Headteacher. The school will work in partnership with the LA and police where inappropriate behaviour/ individual conduct compromises the school’s aims in providing an environment in which the pupils and staff feel safe.

Lone working
Staff are encouraged not to work alone in school. Work carried out unaccompanied or without immediate access to assistance should be risk assessed to determine if the activity is necessary.
Work involving potentially significant risks (for example work at height) must not be undertaken whilst working alone.

Staff working outside of normal school hours must obtain permission of the Headteacher and sign in and out of the school premises.

Where lone working cannot be avoided staff should ensure they have means to summon help in an emergency e.g. access to a telephone or mobile phone etc. Home visits are to be conducted by two school personnel.

School staff responding to call outs
Nominated key holders attending empty premises where there has been an alarm activation should do so with a colleague if possible. They should not enter the premises unless they are sure it is safe to do so.

All staff are required to report to the Premises Manager any problems found with plant/equipment. Defective equipment will be clearly marked and taken out of service by storing in a secure location pending repair / disposal.

The Premises Manager is responsible for identifying all plant and equipment in an equipment register and ensuring that any specific training or instruction needs, personal protective equipment requirements are identified and relevant risk assessments conducted where required.
Equipment restricted to those users who are authorised / have received specific training is detailed in the register.

Planned maintenance / inspection
Regular inspection and testing of school plant and equipment is conducted to legislative requirements by competent contractors. Records of such monitoring will be kept in / by the Premises Manager on the Premises Shared drive.

Curriculum Areas
Subject Leaders are responsible for ensuring maintenance requirements for equipment in their areas are identified and implemented.

Electrical Safety
All staff will conduct a basic visual inspection of plugs, cables and electrical equipment prior to use. Defective equipment will be reported to the Premises Manager.

All portable items of electrical equipment will be subject to formal inspection and testing (Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)) on an identified cycle (dependent upon the type of equipment and the environment it is used in). All earthed equipment (class 1) and cables attached to such equipment will be tested annually.
This inspection and testing will be conducted by an external company annually.

The Premises Manager is responsible for keeping an up-to-date inventory of all relevant electrical appliances and for ensuring that all equipment is available for testing.

Personal items of equipment (electrical or mechanical) should not be brought into the school without prior authorisation and must be subjected to the same tests as school equipment.

A fixed electrical installation test (fixed wire test) will be conducted by an external contractor on a 5-year cycle.

External play equipment
External play equipment will only be used when appropriately supervised.
This equipment will be checked daily before use for any apparent defects, and
the Premises Manager will conduct and record a formal termly inspection of the equipment. PE and Play equipment is subject to an annual inspection by the external contractor.

Every attempt will be made to avoid, or choose the least harmful of, substances which fall under the “Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002” (COSHH Regulations).

Within curriculum areas (in particular science and DT) Subject Leads are responsible for COSHH and ensuring that an up to date inventory and model risk assessments contained in the relevant national publications are in place. (CLEAPSS, Association for Science Education’s “Topics in Safety” etc.)
In all other areas the establishments nominated person(s) responsible for substances hazardous to health is/are Health and Safety Lead.

They shall ensure:

• an inventory of all hazardous substances used on site is compiled and regularly reviewed.
• material safety data sheets are obtained from the relevant supplier for all such materials.
• if required, full COSHH risk assessments are conducted and communicated to staff exposed to the product/substance.
• all chemicals are appropriately and securely stored out of the reach of children.
• all chemicals are kept in their original packaging and labelled (no decanting into unmarked containers).
• suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) has been identified and available for use. PPE is to be provided free of charge where the need is identified as part of the risk assessment.

Where persons may be affected by their use on site, the Premises Manager is responsible for ensuring that COSHH assessments are available from contractors (this applies to both regular contracts such as cleaners and caterers and from builders, decorators, flooring specialists, etc.).

An asbestos survey and management plan is in place for the school in accordance with the relevant statutory requirements. The school’s most recent asbestos management survey was conducted on August 2024.

The school’s asbestos log (including school plans, asbestos survey data and site-specific management plan) is held in / by the Premises Manager, in the office.

The Headteacher will ensure that all school staff (and others such as catering and cleaning staff who may not be employed directly by the school) are made aware of the location of asbestos containing materials (ACM) within their work areas.

Under no circumstances must staff undertake any work which could disturb the fabric of the building or fixed equipment, e.g. affixing anything to walls without first obtaining approval from an Asbestos Authorising Officer. (Even stapling / pushing a drawing pin into ACM may result in the release of fibres into the air.)

In the event of any damage occurring to materials known or suspected to contain asbestos this will be reported to one of the school’s asbestos authorising officers and the area immediately evacuated and closed / locked off.

Professional advice will be sought and details of the incident reported to Lewisham Education Services Health and Safety and Compliance Manager: judy.sutherland@lewisham.gov.uk


The school’s asbestos authorising officers are The Headteacher and the Premises Manager and refresher training is required 3 yearly.

Prior to any work commencing on the fabric of the building or fixed equipment (e.g. boilers, kilns etc.), either by contractors or school staff, one of the asbestos authorising officers must check the asbestos log and establish whether permission to work can be given.

The Headteacher / asbestos authorising officers shall ensure:

• That the asbestos log is consulted at the earliest possible opportunity and that all work affecting the fabric of the building or fixed equipment is entered in the permission to work log and signed by those undertaking the work.
• A visual inspection of asbestos containing materials remaining on site is conducted and recorded (legal requirement to do so annually as a minimum).
• The limitations of the management survey and areas of the building that have not been surveyed are understood and considered as part of the permission to work process e.g. areas above 3m in height, within ceiling voids (where panels / tiles are fixed), floor voids and ducts etc.
• All records pertaining to asbestos are effectively maintained and retained (legal requirement to do so for a period of 40 years).
• The school’s asbestos management plan is kept up to date including any asbestos works (removal, new project specific surveys etc.)

All contractors used by the school shall ensure compliance with relevant health and safety legislation, guidance and good practice.

All contractors must report to school office where they will be asked to sign the visitors book and wear an identification badge. Contractors will be issued with guidance on emergency procedures, relevant risks, and local management arrangements.

The Premises Manager is responsible for monitoring areas where the contractor’s work may directly affect staff and pupils and checking whether expected controls are in place and working effectively.

School managed projects
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 apply to all building, demolition, repair and maintenance or refurbishment work.
Where the school undertakes projects direct, the governing body are considered the ‘client’ and therefore have additional statutory obligations. These projects are managed by an external contract of Lewisham Council on the school’s behalf who will ensure landlords consent has been obtained and, where applicable, all statutory approvals, such as planning permission and building regulations have been sought.

To ensure contractor competency the school uses a property framework contractor as a method of procuring works.

Contractors will be required to provide a construction phase plan, risk assessments
and method statements detailing the safe systems of work to be used prior to
works commencing on site.

Risk assessments and method statements shall be specific to the site and all aspects of the works to be undertaken. The school, contractors and any subcontractors involved will exchange relevant information regarding the work activities and agree the risk assessments.

Working at height can present a significant risk, where such activities cannot be avoided a task specific risk assessment will be conducted to ensure such risks are adequately controlled. A copy of this assessment will be provided to employees authorised to work at height.

Storage above head height is minimised as far as possible, where this cannot be avoided only light-weight and rarely-used items are stored there.
When working at height (including accessing storage or putting up displays) appropriate stepladders or kick stools are to be used. Staff must not climb onto chairs etc.

Only those persons who have been trained to use ladders safely may use them.
Basic instruction is provided to all staff who use ladders / stepladders in accordance with LA455 Safe Use of Ladders and Stepladders – a brief guide.

Formal training on work at height, use of ladders, mobile tower scaffolds etc. will be provided where a significant risk is identified as part of an individual’s role e.g. site staff/ ICT technician etc.

The establishments nominated person(s) responsible for work at height is (are) the Health and Safety Leads

The nominated person(s) shall ensure:

• all work at height is properly planned and organised;
• the use of access equipment is restricted to authorised users;
• all those involved in work at height are trained and competent to do so;
• the risks from working at height are assessed and appropriate equipment selected;
• a register of access equipment is maintained and all equipment is regularly inspected and maintained and
• any risks from fragile surfaces is properly controlled.

Generic risk assessments for regular manual handling operations are undertaken and staff provided with information on safe moving and handling techniques.
Staff should ensure they are not lifting heavy items and equipment unless they have received training and/or equipment in order to do so safely.

Those manual handling activities which present a significant risk to the health and safety of staff, will be reported to the Premises Manager and where such activities cannot be avoided a risk assessment will be conducted to ensure such risks are adequately controlled. A copy of this assessment will be provided to employees who must follow the instruction given when carrying out the task.

Paediatric Moving and Handling
All staff who move and handle pupils have received appropriate training (both in general moving and handling people techniques and specific training on any lifting equipment, hoists, slings etc. they are required to use).

All moving and handling of pupils has been risk assessed and recorded by a competent member of staff.

Equipment for moving and handling people (hoists, slings etc.) is subject to inspection on a 6 monthly basis by a competent contractor.

The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations apply to workers who use DSE such as PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones daily, for continuous periods of an hour or more.

These workers require a DSE workstation assessment and the employer must reduce risks, provide an eye test if a worker asks for one and provide training and information. In accordance with HSE advice and guidance: Working safely with display screen equipment.

A DSE self assessment can be completed on an online cognito form and assessed for completeness by the School Business Manager, annual review.

We have no constant car park on site. During the school holidays we may allow on-site parking.

Vehicular access to the school is restricted to school staff and visitors only and not for general use by parents / guardians when bringing children to school or collecting them.

Access to the school must be kept clear for emergency vehicles.

The vehicle access gate must not normally be used for pedestrian access.

Lettings are managed by the Premises Manager following LA guidance. See Lettings Policy

The school and governing body are committed to promoting high levels of health and wellbeing and recognise the importance of identifying and reducing workplace stressors through risk assessment, in line with the HSE and LA management standards.
See Wellbeing Policy.

The school complies with advice on the potential risks from legionella as identified in the Corporate Health and Safety Procedures.

A water risk assessment of the school has been completed on February 2025 by an external contractor, is responsible for ensuring that the identified operational controls are being conducted and recorded in the school’s water log book.

This risk assessment will be reviewed where significant changes have occurred to the water system and/ or building footprint.

The risks from legionella are mitigated by basic operational controls and thus the following checks are recorded.

• Water is heated and stored to 60 degrees C at calorifiers (any vessel that generates heat within a mass of stored water);
• Weekly flushing of seldom used outlets and all showers (with all outlets flushed after school holiday periods);
• Monthly temperature checks on sentinel outlets (those nearest and furthest away from calorifiers;
• Quarterly disinfection / descaling of showers;
• Six monthly temperature checks of stored water;
• Stored cold water tanks are inspected for compliance and safety on an annual basis by an external contractor and tank water temperature recorded.

These will be planned as an offsite visit in line with the schools policy.
The school will obtain a copy of the pool’s normal operating procedure (NOP) and emergency action plan (EAP) which identify the safety arrangements for the host pool.
In addition the school will obtain assurance over:

• The level of training of the swimming teacher(s);
• Pupil / swimming teacher ratios;
• Rescue / lifeguard provision provided