Remember, your role is strategic
Risk assessments are an important part of your school's health and safety compliance. They identify:
- Anything that could harm pupils, staff or visitors
- Reasonably practicable control measures that are put in place to avoid this harm
Note: we say 'reasonably practicable' as risk assessments should balance the need to minimise risk with the need to let people still do activities.
The HSE recommends a 'sensible' approach to health and safety management in schools. This means the time your school leaders spend on assessing and reducing risks should be proportionate to the level of risk. They should focus their attention on areas of higher risk and keep paperwork to a minimum where possible.
You don't need to create any risk assessments yourself
Instead, it's your job to hold school leaders to account and ask questions so you can assure yourself that