Design note 4 - what do we mean?
In addition to the similarities between our new icon and the real Northern Lights, we particularly liked some of the themes the Northern Lights icon represented, namely:
In addition to the similarities between our new icon and the real Northern Lights, we particularly liked some of the themes the Northern Lights icon represented, namely:
To complement our dynamic new Northern Lights icon, we needed a strong colour pallette and confident, contemporary font.
The contrasting yet complimentary colours in our logo symbolises our value of diversity and unity. We often talk about 'the same but different' at Beckfoot Trust to acknowledge that whilst we have a very clear One Trust identity and clarity on what remarkable means, we also know that one size does not always fit all.
Perhaps the most important part of our new Beckfoot Trust logo is the icon, shown to the right here.
We call it our Northern Lights.
In nature, the Northern Lights are seen as something unique and truly Remarkable that are associated with the North.
Our Northern Lights icon represents The Beckfoot Trust which is also on a constant journey to Remarkable and is strongly associated with the North of England.
As part of our ongoing Journey to Remarkable we felt it was important to give The Beckfoot Trust a strong, confident and contemporary logo and brand that was worthy of an organisation with such high standards and aspirations.
The new Trust logo was a departure from the previous logo style and was definitely designed with the future in mind.
1.1 Beckfoot Trust (the Trust) fully accepts it’s legal and moral duty as an employer with regard to the health, safety and well-being of its employees and students within its care, visitors to the premises and others who could be affected by its actions.
1.2 The Trust recognises its responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAWA) and that the effective management of health and safety plays an important role in its overall performance as an educational establishment. This policy aims to reduce injuries, ill health and unnecessary losses and liabilities.
1.3 This Policy Statement of Intent aims to establishes a proactive and positive health and safety culture throughout the Trust. By implementation of Trust of health and safety arrangements, schools will ensure that they are meeting the Policy aims and objectives and will actively strive for continual health and safety improvement by working in consultation with managers, employees and other partners.
1.4 This Policy will be kept under review and any amendments made to it will be brought to the notice of all relevant parties.
2.1 This policy details the Trust’s approach under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and how the effective management of Safety and Health plays an important role in its overall performance of its educational establishments. The reduction in injuries, ill health and avoidance of unnecessary losses and liabilities are the key aims of this policy.
2.2 The Trust is required, under the provision of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, to write a statement of policy with respect to the health and safety of everyone who uses its premises. The Trust recognises the importance of its employees, students, and others each appreciating the extent of their individual responsibilities to co-operate fully by ensuring that the Health and Safety Policy and procedures are observed.
2.3 This document is intended to bring the Trust’s statement of policy to the attention of all employees and students, providing details of the responsibilities and arrangements for carrying out that policy.
2.4 All employees and students must ensure they are aware of the safety precautions appropriate to the setting in which they work and study.
2.5 The maintenance of standards also includes exercising a duty of care as an organisation, individually and to each other, irrespective of status. It is, therefore, in the interest of all individuals to read and fully understand the Trust’s Health and Safety Policy.
2.6 Each school is required to follow Trust health and safety procedures or procedures that adhere to the details laid out in this policy.
2.7 Each school will ensure appropriate health and safety training is completed.
2.8 The Policy applies to all employees of Beckfoot Trust, as well as members of the Local School Committees, students, visitors, members and trustees and any contractors or consultants undertaking work on behalf of the Trust.
3.1 This Policy will support our goal of being an organisation where everyone can fulfil their potential free from work related injury or ill health; this includes employees, students, contractors, and others who may be affected by our work activities.
3.2 The Trust acknowledges and accepts its statutory responsibilities to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare for all who are employed or contracted to work within any Trust establishment and that the following principles will be developed and introduced across the Trust.
3.3 These guiding principles are interrelated and interdependent so that consistent activity in each area is needed to promote a climate in which a positive health and safety culture can develop.
4.1.1 The Trust as the employer has overall responsibility for the policies and procedures in the Trust.
4.1.2 The Chief Executive Officer has overall responsibility as the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for health and safety within the Trust and for achieving the principles and objectives of the Health and Safety Policy, supported by the Chief Operating Officer (COO).
4.1.3 The Headteacher has been delegated responsibility for the day-to-day maintenance and development of safe working practices and conditions for employees, students, visitors and any other person using or hiring the premises or who are engaged in activities sponsored by the school. The Deputy Headteacher is responsible in their absence.
4.1.4 The Trust’s Risk and Compliance Manager provides support and advice to each school and monitors health and safety matters across the Trust, reporting directly to the COO and Headteachers on such matters.
4.1.5 Each school has a designated Cluster Business Manager who has been delegated some responsibility for the day-to-day management, co-ordination, and implementation of the policy by the Headteacher and will report directly to the Headteacher.
4.1.6 Heads of Departments have responsibility for health and safety within their areas and for reporting to the Headteacher or the Cluster Business Manager.
4.1.7 Line Managers have a responsibility to support the health and safety of those they manage.
4.1.8 Consultation will be facilitated by opportunity for communication between employees at all levels as an essential part of effective health and safety management. Where required, issues can be raised via the Cluster Business Manager to the Trust Health and Safety Committee (or directly with the Trust’s Risk an d Compliance Manager or COO if urgent).
4.1.9 Each school may offer and provide consultation, communication, and collaboration with Union Safety Representatives to discuss all health and safety issues as required with the Headteacher or the Cluster Business Manager.
4.2.1 The Trust Board are accountable overall for health and safety compliance and for ensuring that schools comply with health and safety legislation and that the policy and its procedures are implemented accordingly through scrutiny of KPIs. The Trust Audit and Risk Committee have delegated responsibility to review health and safety on behalf of the Trust Board.
4.2.2 The Audit and Risk Committee (on behalf of the Board) will review health and safety performance at least once a year. The review process will:
4.3.1 LSCs are informed of student and employee welfare/wellbeing for additional scrutiny and challenge.
4.4.1 The CEO has overall responsibility as the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for health and safety within the Trust and for achieving the principles and objectives of the Trust’s Health and Safety Policy. They are supported by the Chief Operating Officer to:
4.5.1 The Chief Operating Officer supports the CEO in achieving the principles and objectives of the Trust’s Health and Safety Policy as identified above and specifically:
4.6.1 The Headteacher is accountable for the day-to-day maintenance and development of safe working practices and conditions for employees, students, visitors and any other person using or hiring the premises or who are engaged in activities sponsored by the school.
4.6.2 The Headteacher will take an active leadership role in all aspects of safety management and take all reasonable steps to achieve this through the involvement of all employees at the school for all its activities, generally the Headteacher is responsible for the following:
4.7.1 Executive Headteachers hold specific responsibilities working in partnership with Headteachers regarding supporting and the monitoring of students’ behaviour across the Trust in relation to the possible risks of accidents and/or near misses and trends caused by student behaviour.
4.8.1 The Trust’s Risk and Compliance Manager is responsible for providing support and advice to each school Headteacher and monitoring health and safety matters across the Trust and reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer and school Headteachers on such matters particularly the key functions listed below:
4.9.1 The Cluster Business Manager is responsible for:
Site Managers are responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy and associated procedures and specifically in relation to:
4.11.1 All employees have an important duty in protecting themselves and others. Health and safety responsibilities are based on legal obligations, whether they are agency, fixed term, contract, or permanent, all employees must take the responsibility of:
4.12.1 All volunteers (including Temporary Staff and Agency Workers) will receive a school induction briefing suitable for their role and will be provided with sufficient information, instruction, and training as appropriate, to ensure their health and safety, so far as reasonably practicable. They must:
4.13.1 While school staff carry the main responsibility for health and safety provision, and the correct implementation of policy and procedure, it is vital that students understand their role and responsibilities when it comes to whole-school and personal health and safety in order for employees to be able to carry out their roles effectively. As members of the school community, students take the responsibility of:
4.13.2 Students that are found to be a risk to health and safety may be dealt with under the school’s Behaviour Policy if the circumstances require it. We expect students to follow the school code of conduct, as this helps maintain good health and safety around the school.
Employees have a common law duty when in charge of students to take the same care of them as that of a parent.
4.14.1 The Trust and each school owe a duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to its employees or others who may be put at risk by its premises or activities, including contractors undertaking work on its premises. Contractors will be vetted and will be required to complete authorisation to work on site with the site manager (or person responsible) including any permits required to work. The contractor should provide the school with a risk assessment identifying the potential risks to students, employees and visitors. See How to Manage Contractors for further details. Where possible, the school will arrange for work to take place outside of school hours to minimise risks.
4.14.2 For the purposes of this policy, a contractor is defined as a person/company who are under contract to provide materials or labour to perform a service or to do a job. This definition does not include temporary contracted office workers involved with office activities.
4.15.1 The external services in addition to the above, will also be responsible for:
4.16.1 All visitors are to report to reception to be signed in/out and issued with a visitor lanyard and visitor’s badge. The badge should be worn at all times to indicate their authorised presence in school. Visitors must be accompanied by a member of the school staff throughout their visit unless arrangements have been put in place for vetting and assessment or segregation and supervision which allows unaccompanied visits. Where visits require one-to-one interviews, arrangements are to be made to ensure their mutual safety. Leaders of hire arrangements in the school must register at reception and are responsible for keeping a register of the group. All visitors will be made aware of the fire evacuation procedure when signing in.
4.16.2 All Visitors and Hirers shall:
The use of gymnasium apparatus and other school equipment will only be permitted after a formal induction and risk assessment and provided that the person in charge is suitably qualified by training and/or experience and subject to the approval of the school.
4.17.1 The main duties and responsibilities of the fire marshal will depend on the Fire Risk Assessment but generally include:
4.17.2 Fire Marshals are appointed and shall receive appropriate training. All fire marshals will be supplied with, and wear at such times as is required, a high visibility vest to indicate their role of authority.
5.1.1 Incidents (including accidents and near misses) must be recorded in line with the Trust’s Incident Reporting Procedure. This will enable the Trust to identify trends or hot spots and analyse reports from our schools for benchmarking and ensuring action is taken to reduce the risk of further incidents. Recording and consequently reporting some incidents at work is a legal requirement as specified in RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013).
A serious injury is one that results in life threatening injuries or involves multiple casualties with minor injuries. These cases will need reporting immediately to the Chief Operating Officer/Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Operating Officer will direct communications to the Associate Director Risk and Compliance who will notify the HSE, if required to do so under ‘RIDDOR’.
5.2.1 A copy of the Asbestos Register for each school will be shown to contractors as part of the Contractor Induction process and be held on the individual reception points to enable employees to consult it for further information. Employees must not disturb asbestos containing materials and should report any concerns to the Headteacher.
The Site Manager will make the register available to contractors by providing a copy at the main reception points. Any contractor or any other person carrying out work in the school must consult the Asbestos Register and act in accordance with the procedures therein before commencing work.
All work involving asbestos must be carried out under the control of the Site Manager and must be commissioned directly by the Trust.
5.3.1 As part of the Planned Preventative Maintenance regime the appropriate contractor will carry out all servicing and maintenance requirement for all plant (electrical and mechanical services) required to the heating plant. Boiler Plant and Electrical Intake Rooms must not be used as storage areas and are out of bounds to students and employees. These areas are identified by safety signage and kept locked at all times.
5.4.1 It is relatively rare for schools to have to close due to health or safety reasons or adverse weather. This could happen in circumstances, such as:
The Headteacher will consult with the Chief Operating Officer on any closure situations and protocols are in place if required to manage a closure (see How to close a school).
5.5.1 Before a contractor starts work on site, the Site Manager completes a copy of the Authorisation to Work on Site (ATWS) document with the contractor. This involves a two-way exchange of information as outlined on the ATWS including an induction pack for the contractor and documents which are provided to school -such as risk assessments, systems of work and insurance. Specific permits to work (such as hot works or confined spaces) are the responsibility of the contractor.
5.6.1 Hazardous materials will be kept to a minimum and no employee or student should use hazardous materials without the knowledge required to work safely. COSHH risk assessments will be completed for all hazardous substances used or stored on site, as follows:
5.6.2 Contractors (occasional)
5.6.3 Contractors (permanently on site – cleaning and catering)
5.6.4 Cleaning/ Catering / Office Work in House Maintenance etc.
5.6.5 Curriculum – Science, DT, Art
5.7.1 To comply with Health and Safety Legislation, key employees will be trained as DSE assessors. The school will ensure that employees who use display screen equipment for a significant part of their job undertake an annual DSE assessment for their device and workstation/s. Assessments will be monitored, and any action needed to ensure health and safety requirements are met. The risks to users of DSE will be reduced to the lowest extent reasonably practicable by provision of equipment and information. All DSE users should be encouraged to take periodic breaks from their workstation.
5.8.1 Trips must be authorised by the Educational Visit Coordinator (EVC) and Headteacher and are subject to formal risk assessment, parental consent, and insurance arrangements. The Headteacher and SLT have all completed relevant Educational Visits Co-ordinator training. Visits must not take place unless a booking form and risk assessment have been completed and authorised by the Headteacher. See Trust policy for further details.
5.9.1 The main electrical system is visual checked on an annual basis and is tested every 5 years by the PPM contractor in accordance with national standards.
A full asset list of the school portable electrical equipment will be managed by the Site Manager / Facilities Management Company and all equipment is subject to Portable Appliance Testing (PAT testing) annually. Any electrical equipment brought from home by students or employees should not be used in the Trust unless it has been subject to satisfactory examination and test.
All electrical equipment must only be used for its intended purpose and users are responsible for the safe management of equipment including cables. Visual checks should be made before use of any portable item including laptop trolleys and in particular, their power cables for damage.
5.10.1 In the case of an emergency, schools will work closely with emergency services to do everything practicably possible to reduce the health and safety risk to those in the school. There are provisions in place to aid in mitigating the risk of certain emergencies occurring but, in some cases, such as extreme weather, major power failure, or flooding, they cannot be avoided. In these circumstances the school will carry out the emergency procedures as highlighted in the Business Continuity Plan.
Schools should have specific procedures in place to ensure the safe evacuation / invacuation of wheelchair users and mobility impaired persons from upper floors. Lifts must not be used until the Headteacher or their Deputy provides the all clear (unless they are designed for use when the fire alarm is sounding, e.g. Hazelbeck).
5.11.1 In making, reviewing, and implementing this policy the Trust’s Equality & Diversity Policy is considered.
In particular, each school must ensure that reasonable adjustments are made to the premises and facilities to enable disabled employees, students and visitors to use the school’s facilities and curriculum as far as is reasonably practicable. The Accessibility Plan must be kept under review and implemented as appropriate, in order to ensure safe access for disabled employees, students and visitors.
5.12.1 Fire risk assessments on each site take account of special fire hazards in specific areas of the school along with maintenance programmes for testing the fire alarm, doors, equipment and emergency lighting.
Manually operated fire alarm (red boxes) activation points are located through each school and schools also have detection systems such as heat and smoke sensors. This will be documented in the fire risk assessment.
Smoking is not permitted on any Trust site.
Everyone has a duty to alert others immediately of any fire, smoke, or potential fire hazard. When any fire is discovered, employees should activate the alarm immediately. Fire extinguishers are located at strategic points throughout the schools. If a member of staff is confident to do so, very small, easily managed fires can be tackled particularly if they would impede escape. However, if there is any doubt or the fire increases in size, those tackling the fire must evacuate immediately. Employees must not put themselves or others in danger in order to tackle a fire. By using the fire alarm or reporting to a senior member of staff.
Employees must ensure that fire escape routes and final exit doors are kept clear at all times. Fire doors must not be blocked ortied open. If a door needs to be held open for practical reasons, it should not be left unattended or should be fitted with a maglock mechanism that releases to close the door in the event of a fire. Display materials must not cover emergency signage, doors, vision panels or fire alarm call points. Employees must also ensure that combustible materials are kept separate from sources of ignition and avoiding accumulation of combustible materials such as paper, old workbooks, disused furniture.
The Headteacher will organise and monitor a fire drill every term to ensure employee and student familiarity with procedures. New employees and students will need specific walk through of the fire evacuation when joining the Trust. Any issues raised will be discussed with the Headteacher. Key issues will be fed back to employees at staff briefing/meeting. The school will have Fire Emergency Procedures that are displayed in every occupied room.
All employees should familiarise themselves with evacuation routes and notices. Any difficulties with fire doors should be reported to the site manager as soon as possible. A reminder of the drill will be given at the first assembly each term. A notice outlining the evacuation procedures will be displayed at the main entrance and all other emergency exit doors. Employees must park in designated parking areas to assist with emergency vehicle access.
5.13.1 The school First Aid Risk Assessment sets out how the schools will always provide adequate and appropriate first aid provision when there are people on the school premises and for employees and students. First Aiders will be displayed at reception and in key areas around school. In general, the school should ensure that there is:
5.14.1 Employees using gas appliances should take special care to check the equipment before, during and after use. Gas installation and appliances must be annually inspected and maintained by Gas Safe certified contractors and certification uploaded to Every compliance.
5.15.1 Trust Health and Safety Committee meetings will occur three times per academic year. School representatives of recognised professional associations are welcome to attend. The Trust Health & Safety Committee members are:
In general, the committee provide the following functions:
5.16.1 All staff new to the Trust including supply teachers and students on work placement will be given a health and safety induction that includes a tour around the building.
5.17.1 Schools will actively prevent the spread of infection through the following measures:
In the case of an outbreak, advice should be sought from the Risk and Compliance Manager / UK Health Protection Agency (0113 386 0300).
5.18.1 Our schools will display the ‘Health and Safety Law Poster – what you need to know’ poster in a reception area in order to comply with the ‘Health and Safety (Information for Employees) Regulations 1989.
Communication with employees will be ongoing so that employees are consulted in and informed of matters which impact on health and safety via staff meetings, email, SharePoint and other methods as appropriate.
5.19.1 Under general health and safety law, as an employer or person in control of a premises we have health and safety duties and need to take suitable precautions to prevent or control the risk of exposure to legionella.
Carrying out a Legionella risk assessment is a school responsibility and will help to establish any potential risks and implement measures to either eliminate or control risks.
As part of the planned preventative maintenance regime the approved contractor will carry out monthly water checks to determine temperatures and what cleaning and disinfection is required to the water system to meet the approved code of practice.
5.20.1 Any hirers of school premises are responsible for ensuring that they use them correctly. The CEO and Headteacher recognise their duties as the responsible officer and delegated officer controlling the use of premises and will ensure that:
5.21.1 There will be some situations where employees at the school will be working alone or one to one with a student. Examples of this would be employees locking up the school at the end of the day, or one to one invigilation of examinations. There is an increased risk to the health and safety of lone workers and the school has provisions in place to both identify and manage these risks.
Any employees, students, contractors or visitors who are identified as lone workers will be given all the necessary training, information and instruction to enable them to recognise the hazards and appreciate the risks involved with working alone. Risk assessments will also be carried out taking into account any risk of violence.
5.21.2 Employees must not arrange meetings with parents or members of the public when lone working. All meetings must be arranged during school occupancy times or when there is more than one informed member of staff on site for the duration of the meeting.
5.21.3 Communication
Employees are advised to:
5.21.4 First Aid
5.21.5 Emergency Procedures
5.21.6 Access and Egress
5.21.7 Alarm Calls After Hours (Guidance for key holders)
In general, all schools should have a minimum of 3 keyholders.
All keyholders must be logged and this information must be on recorded in the school’s Business Continuity Plan.
The school advises that the nominated person:
If at any stage there is evidence of an intruder, immediately withdraw and contact the police. Do not enter the building to use the telephone.
15.21.8 Unacceptable Lone Worker Activities
The following activities are not to be carried out by lone workers under any circumstances:
5.22.1 Each school operates in accordance with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations (1992). ‘Manual handling’ describes activities which involve lifting, carrying, moving, holding, pushing, lowering, pulling or restraining an object or person. Each school will provide information, instruction, and training on safe manual handling for day to day tasks, and will, as is reasonably practicable, avoid the need for employees to undertake any manual handling operations at work which involve a risk of injury.
Manual Handling Risk assessments are to be carried out by the Cluster Business Manager and measures required to eliminate risk, or reduce it to the lowest level which is reasonably practicable, are identified from the information in the risk assessment and used to implement a safe system of work. While the school takes steps to reduce risk in the workplace, it is also the responsibility of employees and students to act in accordance with health and safety legislation and policy.
Where appropriate, employees can assist by considering whether changes can be made to their work organisation (e.g., storage arrangements). The Site Manager will carry out the majority of manual handling and will have received specific health and safety training in this respect.
All possible steps will be taken to reduce the risk of injury including:
5.23.1 Exposure to excessive noise levels may occur from time to time and the appropriate PPE (ear defenders) should be provided. Exposure to excessive noise levels can result in temporary or permanent hearing damage. Where there is any reason to suspect that statutory limits of 85db(A) & 90db(A) may be exceeded the Site Manager shall arrange the works to be carried out when the school is closed.
5.24.1 Senior leaders will arrange for the school to purchase PPE for any employee, if it is determined necessary, to ensure the health and safety of that person which must be worn. It is recognised that PPE is the last line of defence and other control measures should be considered in the first instance. PPE equipment is provided for students and employees to use in Science and Design and Technology lessons.
5.25.1 The school should develop a risk assessment on its management of both playground and vehicular movement on its premise and site to ensure all students, employees and visitors have safe access in and out of the site. A number of the areas will require employee supervision at key times of the school day.
5.26.1 The school will carry out an individual risk assessment and offer advice for managing workloads for all new and expectant mothers to ensure they are not exposed to any significant risks or discriminated against due to pregnancy or because of illness suffered as a result of pregnancy. The assessment will be reviewed through the pregnancy and on return from maternity leave.
5.27.1 All work equipment must be suitable for the purpose for which it is intended and must not present a risk to the health and safety of the user or other people. They must also be maintained in good working order in line with Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).
Specific risk assessment and appropriate training will be required on all work equipment which may present a significant risk including the use of ladders by all employees. The use of work equipment, which could pose a risk to people in school will be restricted to authorised persons and suitable notices exhibited. Machinery must be incapable of being started by students if it is left unattended.
5.28.1 The Trust will develop a number of generic risk assessments that are then made specific to each of our schools. It is important that schools take time to read and amend the risk assessments written for use due to the different levels of risk at each establishment. They are produced so that all employees know how to protect their health and safety, and that of other people, who may be affected by the work of the Trust. They are live documents subject to review where there are significant changes to working practices or at least annually.
Further guidance is available from https://www.bradford.gov.uk/hands and further support and training on risk assessment can be obtained from the Risk and Compliance Manager
5.29.1 School security is a vital component of good health and safety, and we want students and employees to feel safe in the school. Each school will arrange a security audit highlighting area of risk including both coverage and lighting levels and provide details of all security systems benefits and shortfalls.
5.30.1 Sunhats/Clothing Between April and September, we actively encourage parents to ensure children come to school with an appropriate, plain sun hat for use as required throughout the school day. We make available additional/spare sun hats for all outdoor activities if a parent is unable to provide one, or if a child has lost or forgotten their own.
5.30.2 Sunscreen
Between April and September, we actively remind parents/carers to ensure students bring appropriately protective sunscreen (spf 30+) for use as required throughout the school day. We make available additional sunscreen (spf 30+) for all outdoor activities in the event a parent/carer is unable to provide any, or a student has lost, forgotten, or run out of their own. This is made available for parents/carers to patch test upon request. Parents/carers should notify school of any sun cream allergies when completing admission forms or if an allergy develops later on.
A practical approach towards the application of sunscreen is necessary, with assistance provided only where necessary to younger or less able students, unless instructed otherwise by the parent/carer.
5.30.3 Shade
We currently provide some shaded areas outdoors where students can congregate for outdoor activities. If this shaded area is limited, we look to provide additional shaded areas, as funding allows.
5.30.4 Staff/Role Modelling
We encourage all staff to role model good sun safety behaviours such as applying sunscreen and wearing a sun hat on bright/sunny days.
5.30.5 Sun Safe Education
We are committed to educating all students about safe and unsafe exposure to the sun, including how to reduce the risk of skin cancer using curriculum linked lesson plans, activities, or resources as appropriate.
5.30.6 Communicating with Students and Parents
We communicate our guidance and actively remind students and parents of the required support through a range of channels, e.g., website, newsletters, text messages and staff meetings. Further resources are available here https://www.skcin.org/.
5.31.1 Beckfoot Trust takes the health and wellbeing of all its employees and students very seriously and acknowledges that in a busy and hard-working environment, managing work-related stress alone can be very difficult.
We urge all our employees who may be experiencing stress to talk to their manager or a member of the senior leadership team, and will do everything that it can to support them. Individual Stress Action Plans are used to respond to employees who are at risk or suffering from excessive levels of stress to support wellbeing and/ or recovery. See Stress Policy for further details. Beckfoot Trust also has an Employee Assistance Programme which employees can utilise. Details can be found on the Staff Wellbeing SharePoint.
5.32.1 Effective health and safety training are key to good health and safety practice. Beckfoot Trust takes health and safety training seriously and expects all employees and students to do the same. Training is part of induction for all employees, whether they are on fixed term or permanent contracts. Visitors and volunteers are also responsible for contributing to safe practice around school.
Specific training in relation to use of equipment or substances may be given to employees and students relating to which department they will be working in. Employees and students who are not specifically trained for specialist equipment are not permitted to use it.
Induction training will be provided for all new starters, further training will be provided that relate to competence and activities. Training may be delivered in any of the following formats:
The generic/standard training process and policy is the responsibility of the Trust and the individual training requirement and resource are the responsibility of each school, who will be responsible for keeping training records and the prompting of refresher training.
5.33.1 Beckfoot Trust is committed to reducing the incidence of verbal and physical abuse towards employees. Employees must report these incidents by following the Trust’s incident Reporting Procedure. The Headteacher/Cluster Business Manager will discuss the incident and any follow up action and support required with the employee.
5.34.1 Beckfoot Trust will take necessary steps to ensure that the risk of violence, such as assault or verbal abuse, is assessed and that employees are protected from those risks, so far as is reasonably practicable.
The Education Service Advisory Committee (ESAC) working definition of violence is: “any incident in which an employee is abused, threatened or assaulted by a student, pupil or member of the public in circumstances arising out of his or her employment”. This deliberately wide definition has been adapted from earlier HSE publications to include violence by pupils or students. Most people accept that physical force against an individual is an example of violence, but violence can take many other forms, including:
Where there is no physical injury, there can still be considerable emotional stress; threats may indicate a risk of actual injury. Malicious damage to an employee’s property can also cause distress and fear of future physical attack. It is acknowledged that violence and threats of violence can cause anxiety, stress and depression among workers, with damaging consequences for morale, absence rates, productivity and staff retention. People will have different perceptions about behaviour they find threatening or offensive, or which causes distress rather than simple annoyance.
5.34.3 Arrangements for the Reduction of Violence at Work
We are committed to introduce, monitor and improve measures for combating violence at work to employees. This will include risk assessment for each school and individual risk assessments for students who are likely to display violent behaviour and/or members of staff who are particularly at risk. The risk assessment process should involve (or carried out in consultation with) those who are exposed to actual violence or a potentially violent situation.
The five steps to risk assessment (as advocated by the HSE) should be used:
1. Look for hazards – general behaviour, external factors (such as contextual safeguarding), behaviours of individuals
2. Decide who might be harmed and how – students, employees, visitors
3. Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions – risk of physical injury / psychological damage. Additional precautions could include:
4. Record the findings and implement them – there should be a written risk assessment for each school
5. Review the assessment and update if necessary (and at least annually).
Where incidents occur, these will prompt a review of whether lessons can be learnt that should amend dimensions of the school and/or individual risk assessment.
When conducting risk assessments, particular attention will be paid to groups that are vulnerable to violence by virtue of the nature of their work, such as:
Control measures identified as part of the risk assessment process could include:
5.34.4 After a physical assault has taken place Incidents will be recorded and investigated internally, as appropriate. In response to the incident the following options will be available:
Employees who have been subjected to violence at work, in whatever form sustained, will be supported. This may include legal advice and representation providing the employee was acting in accordance with his/her duties.
Where there is an allegation of violence against an employee by another employee, an investigation will be carried out and disciplinary action taken where appropriate.
5.34.5 Reporting Incidents of Violence at Work
We do not accept that facing aggressive behaviour is an integral part of our employees’ work. People will have different perceptions about behaviour they find threatening or offensive, or which causes distress rather than simple annoyance. As such, any employee that considers they may have been (or might in future be) subject to Violence at Work, should report the incident to their line manager who will then inform a member of the School’s Leadership Team.
The member of the Leadership Team (with support from the Associate Director of Risk and Compliance, if necessary) will complete the reporting paperwork and discuss any forms of support appropriate to the circumstances. Reporting will be in line with the Trust’s Incident Reporting Procedure. The reporting procedures aim to allow the Trust to take immediate action when needed, but also to identify longer term trends and issues that need to be addressed.
The reporting of incidences of violence will not be seen as an adverse reflection on the individual’s ability to perform their duties satisfactorily.
5.34.6 Training / Counselling
5.35.1 The main categories of working at height are:
Employees must not generally stand on furniture to work at height. A risk assessment will be carried out for any activities that involve working at heights.
All ladders used in schools must be of an industrial classification 1 (BS203) for heavy industrial use or 2 (BSEN131) for light trade use and can only be purchased through the Site Manager who will complete the register with the serial number and add to the maintenance programme. Low step ladders (no more than 3 steps) and kick stools can be used by employees once they have signed to confirm they have read and understood the risk assessment for working at heights.
All ladders and work equipment on the register will be inspected in line with regulatory requirements and certification recorded on Every compliance.
5.36.1 Employees must not exceed an average of 48 hours worked per week over a 17 week period. What counts as work – a working week includes:
What does not count as work – a working week does not include:
5.37.1 The school will ensure that the environment and workplace is safe for students, employees and visitors. This means keeping classrooms, offices, circulation and communal areas and corridors tidy, organised, and free of obstructions or safety hazards such as spillages or loose/trailing wires. Wet areas should be clearly marked with warning signs and/or covered with a non-slip material. Appropriate clothing and good conduct will also be expected in school, and both contribute to good health and safety practice.
All waste materials must be disposed of carefully and in such a way that does not constitute a hazard for others. Waste materials and rubbish must be removed routinely and all combustible waste materials must be discarded in sealed metal containers.
Any hazards around the school site that are noticed by any member of the school community should be reported to a senior leader.
Certain departments such as science labs, PE and design technology workshops will have more health and safety risks due to equipment and substances being used in these lessons. Only teachers and students trained to use specialised equipment will be allowed to do so, with appropriate risk assessments being carried out prior to commencement of activities.
5.38.1 Special care needs to be taken when involving young people in the work environment as their lack of experience may lead to increased risk. The HSE has produced guidance detailed here for employers on young workers (including work experience placements) and a risk assessment must be completed with detailed arrangements and supervision.
6.1 The Trust Board will review this policy at least annually and assess its implementation and effectiveness. The policy will be promoted and implemented throughout the Trust.
It will be the responsibility of the Chief Operating Officer to monitor the effectiveness of this policy by:
The Headteacher will ensure that risk assessments and related procedures are reviewed annually or sooner, especially after an incident or accident.