Rode School Policies and Reports
PDF: Rode School Health and Safety Policy
Our most recent Health and Safety Policy is shown below. Alternatively, if you would like this report in pdf format to print out, please click on the above link.
The Law
Health and Safety in schools is governed by legislation and associated regulations, which are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). In voluntary controlled schools such as Rode statutory health and safety responsibilities fall on the LEA (as the employer) and on the headteacher and other school staff (as employees).
The Role of the Governing Body
As the management body, the governing body ensures that school staff and premises comply with the LEA's health and safety policy and practices (e.g. reporting accidents, first aid provision).
- to institute a health and safety policy and advise employees of it;
- to have a critical incident / emergency contingency plan;
- to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of teachers and other education staff; the health and safety of pupils in school and on off-site visits; and the health and safety of visitors to schools, and volunteers involved in any school activity;
- to assess the risk of all activities, both in school and off-site; introduce measures to manage those risks, and tell employees about those measures;
- to ensure that staff are competent and trained in their health and safety responsibilities; and are actively involved in health and safety;
- to take reasonable steps to make sure that the buildings, equipment and materials are safe and do not put the health of users and visitors at risk
At Rode the Finance and Buildings Committee have delegated responsibility to ensure that health and safety regulations are followed. Some specific health and safety tasks are delegated to others at the school.
The governing body, and headteacher, must comply with any direction given to them by the LEA concerning the health and safety of persons on the school’s premises or taking part in any school activities elsewhere.
The Role Of Employees In Any School
Employees must take reasonable care of their own health and safety, and that of anyone else who may be affected by what they do at work. They must also cooperate with others who have duties for health and safety by carrying out instructions and reporting unsafe practices. The headteacher, who has delegated responsibility for the day-to-day management of the school, has a particular role in seeing that the governing body's health and safety policies and procedures are carried out.
- AIMS / OBJECTIVES OF THE GOVERNORS OF RODE METHODIST VC FIRST SCHOOL
1.1 To provide as far as reasonably practicable a safe and healthy environment for all persons who work at, attend or visit the school.
1.2 Endorse and support the safety policy of Somerset County Council, and to assist the Council to discharge those responsibilities, which it holds as employer.
1.3 Seek improvement to working conditions according to priorities within existing resources.
1.4 Recognise their responsibilities when they make available premises or equipment for hire, and will ensure that risks to the safety or health of hirers and other persons are adequately controlled as far as possible.
1.5 Ensure that Risk Assessments are carried out within the school using an identified method for recording (e.g., EEC Safety Suite) and to review as appropriate.
1.6 Encourage informal meetings and ensure time is made available in staff meetings where health and safety issues can be raised.
1.7 Ensure that staff can access training to ensure their competence for their tasks.
1.8 Accept the duties that they may hold as a client where they arrange for work through contractors or volunteers. Follow the Council's guidance for the selection of competent contractors and will seek assistance from the Council's Property Services when necessary. Ensure that volunteers receive adequate instruction and supervision to work safely.
1.9 Report all incidents / accidents by following the procedure contained within the Incident Reporting (IR1) Guide and ensure appropriate follow up action has been carried out.
1.10 Review on an annual basis, all accidents and incidents reported to identify trends.
1.11 Consult with the school council and inform pupils of their responsibilities for Health and Safety.
1.12 Recognise the role of safety representatives appointed by recognised trade unions and co-operate with them so that they may undertake their health and safety related functions, including reasonable paid time off for consultation inspection and investigations.
The following individuals are recognised as safety representatives at the school.
Name (1) Martin Barnwell (2) Kath Cooper
Trade Union / NUT
The Governors and Headteacher will draw this policy to the attention of all staff, and review as necessary in the light of any changes.
Signed: Chair of Governors: Kate Robinson
Dated:
Signed: Headteacher: Carolyn Tommey
Dated:
- ORGANISATION IN SUPPORT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY
2.1 Schools can be organised in a variety of ways, i.e., on a Headteacher / Governing Body / Senior Management Team / Departmental basis. The key members are responsible for seeing that their Area of responsibility / Department staff follow the school's policy, and in particular in respect of:
2.1.1 Identification and control of risks associated with any hazardous or dangerous substances.
2.1.2 Selection of equipment suitable for its purpose, and ensuring that it is properly used.
2.1.3 Identifying and securing the training needs of members of their Area / Department
2.1.4 Provision of suitable personal protective equipment when required and ensuring that it is properly used.
2.2 The Headteacher and Governors recognise the importance of all staff being competent and possessing the necessary current skills, knowledge and qualifications for the use of specialist equipment or facilities.
2.3 The Governors will monitor safety performance within the school against the standards of Somerset County Council and provide an annual summary of their findings. With regard to premises issues this will include a check of the school buildings, in conjunction with their property surveyor and prioritisation of needs on the school's AMP.
2.4 The Governors have appointed the following Governor to have a watching brief for health and safety issues, and bring to their notice such issues that require their attention Duncan McLennon
Assistance on health and safety issues is provided by
The County Health and Safety Unit, Somerset County Council
- APPOINTMENT OF APPROPRIATE PERSONS
- GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOLS
- Guidance for Schools Volume 4
- Outdoor Education and External Visits Website
- Safe Practice in Physical Education, published by BAALPE - 2004 Edition
- Building Bulletin 100: Design for Fire Safety in Schools: DCSF 2007
- Health and Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits: published by DCSF 1998
- Guidance on First Aid for Schools: published by DCSF
- Supporting Pupils with Medical Needs: published by DCSF
- Annual Inspection by HT, Governor, County Surveyor & Caretaker
- By Govs through Buildings & Finance Sub Committee
- Regular monitoring of Play equipment by Caretaker & HT
- Regular Fire drills
- Regular visual checks by HT of Fire & Security Alarm Panels
- Agenda item on all Building & Finance Cttee meetings
- Agenda item when necessary on Staff meeting agenda
- Incident Reporting File (Office)
- Playground Accident Book (First aid room)
Rode Methodist VC First School has appointed the appropriate person(s) for their delegated areas of responsibility within the School (see Table A below)
The following guidance, produced by the Council, is available for schools to use for their own standards:
4.1 The Governors adopt the standards of the following publications, which are endorsed by the Lifelong Learning Directorate as standards for its schools:
DELEGATED AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY WITHIN THE SCHOOL
Name of School: Rode Methodist VC First School
Headteacher: Carolyn Tommey
Delegated Senior Manager: Carolyn Tommey
http://www.six.somerset.gov.uk/sixv3/default.asp?search=DSE&searchfor=4&orderby=1&ds=1 |
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http://www.six.somerset.gov.uk/sixv3/content_view.asp?did=13775 |
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PE Equipment CDT Equipment LEV |
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Equipment use for disposal |
A Guide for Local Government safety representatives www.unison.org.uk/CENTER> |
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http://www.six.somerset.gov.uk/sixv3/content_view.asp?did=5689 |
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M. Barnwell |
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Educational Visit Co-ordinator |
Section 16 |
C. Tommey |
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http://www.six.somerset.gov.uk/sixv3/content_view.asp?did=14022 |
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http://www.six.somerset.gov.uk/sixv3/content_view.asp?did=14022 |
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School developing a ‘Sunsmart’ policy 2007 |
Support Services County Health and Safety Unit |
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Heating |
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C.Tommey |
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ESTABLISHMENT Rode Methodist VC First School
Documents relating to this Policy are listed below along with the locations in which they can be found:
H& S File |
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H& S File |
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H& S File |
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H& S File |
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H& S File |
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Document Prepared by (Signature)
(Print Name) Carolyn Tommey
Title: Head teacher
Date: 16th February 2007
The monitoring/review arrangements in place are summarised below:
Active monitoring:
Safety Audit/Inspection Report (CHSU) Annual Review Meeting Report (LSDA) Periodic Risk Assessment Status Electronic Report (DSLO) Periodic Self Evaluation Status Electronic Report (Section 6) Accident/Incident Investigation Report (various) Safety Representation Reports (Recognised Trade Union/Professional Association) Property Services Report – Capital Support Special Educational Needs Report Protocol Reports (Schools causing concern) Fire Risk Assessment Internal Monitoring |
Reactive monitoring:
HMI OFSTED Report HMI Health and Safety Executive Report Community Protection Report Fire Service Report Environmental Health Report Contractors Report Occupational Health Service Report Insurer’s Report Accident/Incident Investigations Escalation procedure Internal Monitoring |
Planned review:
Annual Safety Self Review Audits Autumn Term 07
ARRANGEMENTS
The framework and arrangements for communicating with employees and consulting on levels of performance in health and safety (and any proposals for change which might affect the health and safety of those involved) are as follows:
CHSU H & S Circulars and Guidance notes to schools Exposure Identified person/persons responsible for Health and Safety Health & Safety Policy Staff meetings |
