When schools are empty for the Summer, it’s the perfect time to review your whole estate for safety – as the £80,000 fine on one primary school three years ago highlighted.

Rosemead Preparatory School hit the headlines when an overloaded ceiling collapsed on top of pupils aged seven and eight, with 15 injured. Thurlow Educational Trust was ordered to pay the fine and court costs by Westminster Magistrates Court.

The Health & Safety Executive investigation highlighted an important fact: assessing risks in schools is not just about the obvious potential hazards: it’s about considering how the whole school is being used.

Every teacher’s nightmare

It’s every teacher’s nightmare to imagine children being put at risk while at school, quite apart from the legal and financial implications of getting it wrong.

That’s why Bison’s safety experts are urging UK schools to seek professional advice at this quietest time of year, when they are taking the opportunity to carry out maintenance and decoration, and can have a fresh look at the estate and how it’s used.

How risk assessors help

Bison risk assessors work with schools to make sure your annual risk assessments are up to date in areas ranging from water and fire safety to disabled access.

Like any workplace or public space, schools are obliged by law to maintain compliance with health and safety regulations. These often change, so it’s wise to use expert risk assessors who know the latest guidelines and regulations.

Risk assessments are carried out annually, but schools and workplaces can turn to Bison experts throughout that year if they have concerns or want clarification on the rules.

No disruption

Schools sometimes worry that a visit from a risk assessor will disrupt the busy classroom schedule, but that’s not the case. Assessors carry out the inspections in a single day and are very non-intrusive.

They then quickly provide a report that shows you exactly what, if any, measures need to be taken to ensure compliance and protect the staff, children and visitors.

Maintaining your risk assessments

A further case, also from 2023, shows the importance of making sure risk assessments are well-maintained. Kingswood School Trustee Ltd in Bath was fined £50,000 in total by the HSE for not monitoring and making sure controls put in place for radon gas stayed effective.

While Bison don’t do radon testing, this shows that control measures must be looked after, and that assessments must be reviewed outside the normal inspection period if circumstances change.

A risk assessment has to be a living document.

At Bison, we know that head teachers across the UK prioritise the wellbeing of their staff and pupils at all times – and we also know how busy they are every day.

We’re delighted that our Bison experts become valuable and reliable members of their school teams, working hand in hand with them to provide the guidance that ensures the highest levels of safety at every time of year.

Book your Bison Assist expert here.