Health and Safety Policy - Lady Margaret Primary School

This policy supports the Rights Respecting principles adopted by Lady Margaret Primary School and is particularly relevant to the following article:

UNICEF – Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

Article 3

The best interests of the child must be a top priority in all things that affect children.

Introduction

This document is a statement of the aims, principles, and strategies for ensuring health and safety at The Lady Margaret and Durdan’s Park Primary Schools’ Federation.

Relevant national legislation and the Local Authority (LA) policy for health and safety have been considered in the formulation of this policy.

For the avoidance of doubt wherever the word ‘Parent’ is used in this policy it refers to ‘all adults who have a legal responsibility for the pupil.’

The success of this policy depends on the active support of all members of the federation community to achieve its objectives.

Purpose of this policy

This Health and Safety policy aligns with the LA statement of policy and intent which sets out the authority’s policy and attitude towards health and safety. The federation operates within this framework and takes account of all instructions and advice issued by the LA.

This document provides a broad framework for the creation of a safe environment in which to work and learn. It is written for the benefit of all members of the federation community, to allow each to understand the policy of the federation and their own responsibilities within this.

Aims

Our aims for health and safety are to:

Seek the co-operation, through consultation and involvement, of all employees with a view to implementing the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and associated legislation;
Provide a safe and healthy environment for children, staff and all other people who come onto the premises of either school, including adequate provision for first aid treatment.
Identify, eliminate, or reduce by controls, hazards which exist at the place of work through risk assessment and bring such hazards to the attention of employees and others who may be affected. This will include the formulation and where necessary, practise of effective procedures for use in the event of a serious risk or imminent danger.
Ensure that all members of the federation community understand their own responsibilities in maintaining a healthy and safe environment.
Establish and maintain safe working procedures amongst staff, pupils, and all visitors to the federation sites.
Have robust procedures in place in case of emergencies
Ensure that the premises and equipment are maintained safely, and are regularly inspected

Principles

The establishment of a healthy and safe environment is an essential prerequisite for the work of the federation, as well as being a statutory requirement. It depends upon sound management, vigilant supervision and the co-operation of all children and adults.

Legislation

This policy is based on advice from the Department for Education on health and safety in schools and the following legislation:

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which sets out the general duties employers have towards employees and duties relating to lettings
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992, require employers to assess the risks to the health and safety of their employees
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, require employers to carry out risk assessments, plan to implement necessary measures, and arrange for appropriate information and training
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, require employers to control substances that are hazardous to health
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013, which state that some accidents must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive and set out the timeframe for this and how long records of such accidents must be kept
The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, which require employers to carry out digital screen equipment assessments and states users’ entitlement to an eyesight test
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, which require work on gas fittings to be carried out by someone on the Gas Safe Register
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which requires employers to take general fire precautions to ensure the safety of their staff
The Work at Height Regulations 2005, which requires employers to protect their staff from falls from height

The school follows national guidance published by UK Health Security Agency (formerly Public Health England) when responding to infection control issues, and Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak, which provides guidance on what schools need to do during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sections of this policy are also based on the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Full Policy

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Approved by:
Governing Body

Date:
16th September 2025

Last reviewed on:
August 2025

Next review due by:
August 2026