Risk Assessment Template for Schools

What are risk assessments in schools?

A school risk assessment is an assessment that assesses any hazards that could pose a risk to both employees, students, or visitors you have to your school. When carrying out risk assessment for schools you should record hazards, the likelihood of them causing harm to someone, and the implementation of safety control measures.

Risk assessment in schools are vitally important. You may have multiple events that require a risk assessment, such as school trips, carrying out experiments in a lab, or PE lessons.

Who is responsible for risk assessment in schools?

Officially, Health & Safety in schools falls on the local authority. But the day-to-day safety of pupils and teachers is the responsibility of the head teacher. Each school should appoint a competent person to ensure Health & Safety duties are met.

This person will carry out risk assessments in schools, or for example before school trips are made.

What is the law surrounding risk assessment for schools?

Under Health & Safety law, schools are required to asses its risks and put in place control measures via a school risk assessment. Risk assessments for schools must be detailed and give a full account of the measures taken to reduce the risks and the potential outcomes.

A school risk assessments must be control focused, and simple to understand. It should make clear to people what they're required to do from a safety prospective during their day-to-day role.

To make the process easier, Peninsula has put together risk assessment templates for schools ready for you to download and use when needed. Access your school risk assessment template now and keep both your staff and pupils safe at all times.

What are the common risks within a school setting?

There are many risks that can occur within an education setting that makes the need for a school risk assessment that bit more important. Such as:

• Slips, trips, and falls.
• Plug sockets.
• Fire.
• Furniture.
• Classroom equipment.
• Scissors.
• Moving between lessons.
• PE lessons.
• Assemblies.

The above risks can all cause serious harm, so it's vital risk assessments in schools are carried out. Download our school risk assessment template and ensure the safety of your pupils and staff.

Is a school risk assessment in a legal requirement?

Yes if you run a school, you have a legal requirement to carry out a school risk assessment. Once completed, a copy of the risk assessment should be made available to people who work in your school.

Download our free risk assessment template for schools today and learn how to keep your employees and customers from harm. It's vital you know how to conduct a risk assessment in schools to keep your pupils safe from harm.

How often should school risk assessment be carried out?

Risk assessments for schools should be carried out any time a new risk is identified, or reviewed at least once a year. With your employees being made aware of the risk assessment being carried out and its findings.

For example, a risk assessment should be carried out when you need to manage health infections or outbreaks within your school. Or, a risk assessment should be carried out before undertaking a school trip.

Download our free sample risk assessment for schools today to avoid harm coming to your teachers or pupils. Once you have an example risk assessment, you will know how to perform them in the future, ensuring total legal compliance.

How to perform a school risk assessment

So your risk assessment for schools is effective and manage all risks, you should follow the below steps:

• 1: Identify risks and hazards in your school via a site walkaround. For example, sporting equipment or chemicals.
• 2: Decide who may come to harm and how. For example any vulnerable pupils, staff, or visitors - especially if you have any pregnant staff.
• 3: Evaluate the risks that any hazards found present.
• 4: Identify appropriate control measures to reduce risk. You should record any recommendations and measures taken to reduce risk.
• 5: Record your findings and implement control measures.
• 6: Review your school risk assessment and update where needed, for example when any significant changes are made to the school.

Download your free school risk assessment template now and keep your staff and pupils safe at all times.

Download our free school risk assessment template schools now

It's vital you maintain the Health & Safety of all your employees and people in your school by conducting a school risk assessment. This involves risk analysis, assessing existing precautions and ultimately, controlling hazards.

Failure to carry out your school risk could lead to serious or fatal accidents in your school. Consequently, this might lead to financial and reputational damages.

Peninsula offers expert advice on your school risk assessment, as well as a free beauty salon risk assessment example for you to download.

Our teams provide 24/7 Health & Safety advice which is available 365 days a year. We take care of your business needs when you work with our Health & Safety experts. Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 028 2420 and book a free consultation with a qualified Health & Safety consultant today.