The Independent Grammar School: Durham
Health and Safety Policy
1. Statement of Intent
The policy of the Independent Grammar School: Durham is to maintain safe and healthy working conditions at the school for all staff, pupils and visitors. The allocation of duties for safety matters and the particular arrangements made to implement the policy are set out in this document. An annual review of the policy will take place. The Policy will be kept under constant review and reviewed at least annually.
2. Responsibilities
The School Board
The Board is responsible for monitoring and reviewing the health and safety policy of the school as and when necessary. Health and Safety is a regular agenda item at Board meetings and the Principal will where necessary prepare a review of incidents, developments etc. related to health and safety since the last meeting. The School Board will as appropriate make recommendations relating to health and safety.
The Principal
Overall responsibility for the detailed health and safety arrangements within the school lies with the Principal. It is the Principal’s responsibility to ensure compliance with Health and Safety legislation.
Staff
All staff have the responsibility to work together to achieve a healthy and safe workplace and to take reasonable care of themselves and others. Whenever a member of staff notices a health and safety problem this should be drawn to the attention of the Principal immediately who will record it in the incident book.
3. Procedures
Fire Safety
The Christchurch building has been subject to recent high quality refurbishment and is designed in line with modern safety requirements in mind. All exits are marked and kept free of obstructions. There are three fire extinguishers, one electrical extinguisher and a fire blanket in the school and an extinguisher and blanket in the kitchen (which will be out of bounds). Their location is marked with a red fire sticker. Fire safety equipment is checked regularly by external contractors and records of their visit are kept. The landlord checks the alarm on a regular basis. Fire practices are held regularly and recorded in the fire practice book. In the event of a fire, all staff and children congregate in the designated assembly area. A named member of staff is responsible for checking toilets. It is the responsibility of the Principal to call the fire brigade. The school administrator will take the registers out to teachers for roll call.
Arrangements in the event of fire are set out in the school’s Fire Plan.
Accidents
We have first aid boxes in each classroom. All accidents are recorded and monitored. We will always have more than enough staff trained in first aid. Notifiable accidents and incidents are recorded and passed on as appropriate.
Letters to parents informing them of accidents to their children are recorded. These forms are checked each half term for trends of accidents and this data is placed before the School Board at each of its meetings, if necessary. (So far - January 2023 - there have been no perceptible trends so this has not been needed). Letters are always sent to parents when a child has a bump on the head.
Plastic, disposable gloves are available in each first aid box and staff are advised to use these when dealing with bleeding or other cases of body fluids. If there is an emergency situation, an ambulance should be called to transport a child to hospital. Wherever possible, the parent should accompany their child. If this is not possible, the child is accompanied by two members of staff. In a non-emergency situation, staff can transport a child if accompanied by another adult, but should ensure they have correct insurance cover, otherwise a taxi must be used.
Reporting Hazards
All staff are responsible for reporting hazards. It is then the Principal’s responsibility to follow up reports. The School Board monitors the action taken to remedy hazards.
4. Electrical Safety
Electrical equipment used within the school is numbered and logged. All staff are expected to visually check equipment before use and report damage and remove from the area with a notice saying “Faulty: Do Not Use”. In addition, a risk assessment is carried out on an annual basis and appliances tested in accordance with legislation by a contractor and a certificate held listing all tested and serviceable equipment.
Staff should note that particular care needs to be taken with extension leads, to avoid trailing wires. No electrical equipment should be introduced into school from home without the prior agreement of the Principal.
5. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations
Any substances marked as dangerous must not be left in classrooms. Staff should check that instructions are followed when using any such substances. The cleaning cupboard is locked during the day and the key kept in the Secretary’s office. Staff should note that the use of chemicals in science should be checked with the Principal, who will take specialist advice where needed.
Staff must inform the Principal of any additional potential COSHH items that have been brought into school other than those on the list.
6. Equipment
It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure that equipment is in good working order and is stored safely. Any faulty equipment should be withdrawn from use and reported to the Principal with a note saying “Faulty: Do Not Use”. The following points about equipment should be noted:
· Staple guns are not to be used by children and must always be stored in a drawer when not in use.
· A pair of step ladders is kept in school. Its condition is checked during health and safety inspections. Teachers and helpers are advised to use ladders and not chairs when displaying work.
· The school does not at present use the on-site kitchen. If for any reason the kitchen is used those operating the cooker will be given instruction in doing so safely. Children will not be permitted to enter the kitchen unless closely supervised.
7. Health and Hygiene
Notifiable and Infectious Diseases
Details of notifiable diseases and periods of exclusion are retained by the school nurse.
Medicines
It is the school policy not to administer medicine except in the case of chronic illness after discussion with parents. A medical care plan is then drawn up in conjunction where necessary with the school’s medical officer. In general only inhalers and Epipens are kept in school. Children who go home with a medical complaint or as a result of an accident are recorded in a book in the office.
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed in or around the school grounds.
Hygiene
It is the responsibility of classroom teachers, liaising with the cleaners, to keep their rooms in a hygienic condition. The Principal will monitor the cleanliness of the building as part of the weekly visual inspection (Friday at 5 pm).
All staff are responsible for encouraging good hygiene habits in the children. Particular emphasis is placed on hand washing.
8. Animals in School
The only animals which may be kept in school are fish, gerbils, mice, hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs. No dogs are allowed in the school grounds unless by express permission of the landlord.
9. Outdoor Visits
Trips and visits are a vital part of school life and will take place regularly. Any outdoor visit is carefully researched and preliminary visit made by the teacher. Appropriate risk assessments must be completed by relevant staff and be approved by the Principal before any trip or outing takes place.
It is the duty of the teacher to ensure all helpers are fully briefed about the visit and the expectations for behaviour. Parental consent for the visit is always sought. Risk assessment for outdoor visits are completed and checked by the Principal.
When residential visits are organised parents are invited in to school to discuss the visit in detail.
10. Security
All staff and pupils are encouraged to be aware of strangers on the premises. If a visitor is unknown identification should be requested. All visitors must check in at reception and be issued with a visitors’ badge. Visitors may only enter the school by the side door (the main doors to the church building will be locked at all times during school hours). Outside doors at the school are closed once children have left the premises. Pushpads and keypads on doors prevent entry. Staff who remain in school late are advised to ensure that their classroom doors are locked. In the event of anything suspicious or a child or a teacher is at risk of injury then the Principal will be informed immediately. Any act of violence or abuse towards a member of staff must be reported to the Principal, who will take the appropriate action. Further notes on our security policy are set out in Appendix 2.
11. Contractors
All contractors are expected to report their arrival and departure to the Principal or office staff before commencing work. If they are working in an unsafe manner they will be requested to stop work by the Principal.
12. Staff and the Health and Safety Policy
All staff, teaching and non-teaching, are given a copy of the policy. New staff are given a copy and are required to confirm they have read it. The Principal will be responsible for ensuring that supply staff are briefed on the policy before beginning work at the school.
13. Training
Staff will attend health and safety courses as appropriate.
A reminder of this policy will form part of the annual staff training days before the start of the school year.
14. General Building Security
· The boundary of the school is clearly defined
· The school has an intruder alarm which is part of the landlord's system
· The alarm system is set only by the Principal or his appointed deputy
· The alarm system is regularly maintained by the contractor.
· The key holders for the school are controlled. The Principal, classroom teachers and the school administrators will be registered key holders. In addition, given the nature of the building, a number of church staff are also key holders.
· Access to the building during school hours is restricted by the use of push pads on doors
· Visitors may only use the side door.
· Staff will always challenge strangers and ask for identification
· Church staff will have no access to the school site during school hours
15. Equipment/Money
· Computer equipment is kept in classrooms. It is security marked and records are kept of serial numbers.
· Staff have lockers, which can be used for personal property.
· Cash holdings are kept to a minimum
· Cash is counted with the front door locked. Money is not left unattended
· The timing of bank visits is varied
Health and Safety Policy Self-assessment Check List
To be completed by all staff following induction and each year during staff training in September
Yes/No
1
Have I got a copy of the Schools Health and Safety Policy?
2
Do I know how to report an accident?
3
Do I know where the accident book is kept?
4
Do I know what the fire drill is?
5
Have I been made aware of any workplace hazards?
6
Do I know who to inform about any faulty equipment or anything which may cause injury?
7.
Do I understand my responsibility towards health and safety?
8
Am I aware of the safety policy regarding doors?
9
Do I know what to do if I encounter a stranger in the school building
10
Do I understand the school’s Medicines Policy as set out in the H&S policy?
11
Do I believe that the school is a safe place for children and staff?
If you have answered “no” to any of the above questions, it is your responsibility to follow the matter up with the Head of School or Principal. Please be honest: the health and safety of everyone in school, especially children, could not be more important and your role is crucial in achieving this. As a member of staff, you are often best placed to spot issues. Any concerns you have will be taken seriously.
Name:
Signed:
Date:
This policy was established in January 2017 and will be reviewed as necessary.
Reviewed: October 2018, May 2020, October 2022, May 2023
Next Review due: October 2024