Cheadle Hulme School is committed to providing and maintaining a safe, secure and supportive environment that promotes the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone associated with the School. The School will take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent injury and ill health, comply with all relevant legal duties, and continually improve its health and safety performance. All members of the School community are expected to comply with and actively support this policy. Legislative and Regulatory FrameworkThis policy is informed by, and complies with, all relevant UK health and safety legislation and statutory guidance, including but not limited to: - Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002
- Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
- Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)
- Working at Height Regulations 2005
- Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
- Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981
- DfE: Health and Safety: Responsibilities and Duties for Schools (updated April 2022)
Compliance with health and safety legislation operates alongside, and supports, the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy - recognising that pupil welfare and health and safety are intrinsically linked. |
Organisation, Governance and AccountabilityBoard of GovernorsThe Board of Governors, as the employer, retains overall accountability for health and safety and compliance with legislation. Responsibility for day-to-day management is delegated to the Head and Director of Operations (Health and Safety Lead). The Board maintains oversight through its governance structure, and a designated sub-committee (Risk Committee).
The Head and Director of Operations will ensure that the School complies with its legal duties, and that the following are in place for the effective implementation of this policy: - Adequate resources are allocated
- Risks are identified, assessed and controlled
- Compliance is monitored and reviewed
- Independent assurance is sought where appropriate.
Health and Safety Lead The Health and Safety Lead will oversee the School’s arrangements for access to competent health and safety advice and support. The role of the Health and Safety Lead is to: - Oversee implementation of health and safety arrangements
- Ensure risk assessments are in place and reviewed
- Commission audits and inspections
- Consult with staff and stakeholders
- Report material risks, incidents and compliance issues
Operational responsibilities may be delegated to other competent persons including contracting external health and safety advisors to provide technical advice and support, however, responsibility for compliance will remain with the Director of Operations.
Heads of Department and Line ManagersHeads of Department and managers will: - Ensure risk assessments are current, signed and reviewed annually;
- Ensure that equipment is maintained (the Estates and Technical Services teams will ensure statutory inspections are completed);
- Ensure staff receive appropriate training and information;
- Investigate and report accidents and incidents; and
- Monitor compliance within their areas of responsibility.
Responsibilities of Staff and OthersAll employees and other persons working on the School premises must comply with Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which requires individuals to: - Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and for the health and safety of others who may be affected by their actions; and
- Cooperate with the School to enable legal compliance.
All staff are responsible for: - Maintaining a safe learning environment for pupils;
- Following relevant risk assessments and guidance;
- Using safety equipment and PPE correctly;
- Instructing pupils in safe working practices;
- Reporting hazards, incidents and near misses promptly; and
- Initiating First Aid and emergency responses where required .
Training, Competence and RecordsThe School will maintain records of health and safety training, including statutory and role-specific requirements: - Health and Safety basic awareness (all staff)
- Safeguarding and Prevent
- Fire safety and evacuation procedures
- First Aid (as required by role)
- COSHH
- Manual handling
- Educational visits and trip leadership
- EYFS-specific health and safety training
All staff must complete an annual “Know Your Responsibilities” declaration confirming they have read and understood relevant policies. New staff must complete this within one month of starting. Compliance will be monitored by the Director of Operations. Health and Safety ArrangementsHealth and safety responsibilities are embedded within operational practices and are supported by the School’s wider policy framework, including (but not limited to): Accident Reporting and First Aid- Appropriate first aid provision will be in place in line with the First Aid Policy and First Aid, Health and Medical Care of Pupils Procedures.
- Incidents will be reviewed and, where appropriate, investigated proportionately to identify underlying causes and necessary corrective actions.
- Where required, serious incidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences will be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under RIDDOR by the Head or Director of Operations. Records will be maintained and reviewed to identify trends and inform preventive measures.
Asbestos Management- An up-to-date asbestos register and management plan will be maintained and made available to staff, contractors and others who may be affected.
- No intrusive work will be undertaken without prior reference to the asbestos register and, where required, a refurbishment or demolition survey.
The condition of asbestos-containing materials will be monitored, and appropriate control measures implemented to prevent disturbance and exposure. Contractor Management- The School will ensure contractors are competent and work safely by requiring appropriate qualifications, insurances and risk assessments (RAMS) and safeguarding vetting as appropriate.
- Work will be planned and controlled, with permits issued where necessary and activities segregated from pupils and staff.
- Contractors will receive a site induction and must follow all School policies. Performance will be monitored and action taken where standards are not met.
Display Screen Equipment (DSE)- Staff who use DSE regularly will complete workstation assessments, with adjustments made where required.
- Training and guidance will be provided, and eye tests made available.
Emergency Procedures- In line with the Critical Incident and Emergency Response Policy, clear and concise emergency procedures will be in place for a range of potential emergencies, including invacuation/lockdown and severe weather conditions.
- These procedures will be clearly communicated to all staff, pupils and visitors where appropriate, and regularly practised through drills so that key people understand their roles and responsibilities and can respond confidently and effectively in an emergency.
Fire Safety- A suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment will be in place, regularly reviewed and acted upon.
- Additional provision will be made to ensure the safety of pupils in the Junior School, especially in the Early Years Foundation Stage, and any pupils who have additional needs.
- A competent person/persons will support the management of fire safety arrangements, including maintenance of alarms, smoke detectors, fire suppression systems, emergency lighting and fire-fighting equipment.
- Fire doors will be maintained in effective working order and kept closed where required, unless held open by an appropriate automatic release device linked to the fire alarm system.
- Clear evacuation procedures with emergency action notices will be published extensively throughout the site; evacuation procedures will be regularly practised (once each term) and understood by all staff and pupils. Staff will receive appropriate fire safety training, and Fire Wardens will be appointed as required.
- Records of inspections, drills and maintenance will be retained and monitored.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work- The School will ensure that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are in place for all activities and areas, including classrooms, playgrounds, specialist teaching spaces, high-risk spaces, and off-site visits, in accordance with the Risk Management Policy and the Educational Trips Policy.
- Hazards will be identified, and risks evaluated based on likelihood and potential severity. Appropriate control measures will be implemented to eliminate or reduce risks to an acceptable level, including the use of safe systems of work and, where necessary, personal protective equipment.
- Risk assessments will be reviewed regularly, at least annually, and whenever activities, equipment or the environment change.
- Significant assessments will be made accessible to relevant staff.
Supervision of Pupils- The School will ensure that pupils are appropriately supervised at all times in accordance with the Supervision of Pupils Policy. Clear arrangements will be in place for supervision during lessons, breaks, lunchtimes, transitions and off-site activities, with staffing levels proportionate to age, needs and risk.
- Staff will be made aware of their supervision responsibilities and duty of care, including maintaining appropriate visibility, vigilance and response to incidents.
- Supervision arrangements will be reviewed regularly and adapted where necessary to ensure the safety and welfare of all pupils.
Workplace Wellbeing and Stress Management- The School is committed to promoting staff wellbeing and managing work-related stress. Risks to mental health will be identified through risk assessment and monitoring.
- Staff are encouraged to raise concerns, with support available through line management, training and appropriate services. Where needed, adjustments will be made to support individual wellbeing.
Monitoring, Audit and ReviewActive MonitoringThe School will undertake regular monitoring through: - Premises inspections (e.g. tree survey, escape routes, roof tiles, etc.)
- Annual compliance checks and servicing (legionella control, gas safety, lifts, electrical testing)
- Reviews of incident, near miss, and accident data
- Records and reviews of evacuation and lockdown practices.
Annual Health and Safety Audit- An annual deep-dive Health and Safety audit will be conducted (example areas include high-risk areas, travel, security, trips, and allergy safety).
- Findings will be documented, prioritised and actioned. Outcomes will be reported to the Risk Committee and escalated to the Board where appropriate.
Reporting to GovernorsThe Director of Operations will provide the Risk Committee with: - An annual Health and Safety report
- Summary of incidents, RIDDOR reports and trends
- Audit findings and action plans
- Training compliance overview
- Significant risks and mitigation strategies
Material risks or incidents will be escalated immediately to the Chair of Governors and Head. Health and Safety ConsultationThe School is committed to its duty to consult with staff on matters affecting health and safety. A Health and Safety Committee will include representatives from across the School, including management and staff. The group will meet regularly to review incidents, risk assessments, audit findings and emerging risks, and to consider staff feedback and concerns. Outcomes and actions will be recorded and shared, with recommendations reported to senior leadership and Governors where appropriate. Staff may raise health and safety concerns at any time. Breaches and Enforcement Breaches of this policy will be investigated and addressed. Deliberate or serious breaches may result in disciplinary action in line with School procedures. |