Latest Update The employer of school staff is responsible for health and safety, though tasks may be delegated to staff. The day to day responsibility for running of the school lies with the headteacher. In law, the headteacher can be deemed the ‘responsible person’ so must be aware of the relevant health and safety legislation which relates to school buildings and sites. For further information about this, including legal duties please visit the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) website by clicking on the link below: http://www.hse.gov.uk/services/education/ One of the key area’s of Health & Safety in schools is Statutory Testing and maintenance checks. Some of these tests are statutory by law. The Diocesan Education Service is currently carrying out an audit of Local Authorities to see what monitoring of schools currently takes place. (A number of local authorities offer this as a traded service for which schools have to pay.) This does not however, remove the responsibility of ensuring each of these tests and checks are carried out. This responsibility still rests with the school. Further details are available on the DES website. Further correspondence and updates for headteachers will follow in due course, including a schedule of statutory tests and maintenance for school use.
Key Documents for Health and Safety
Health and Safety - Advice for schools (found on www.gov.uk) - web
Essential School Maintenance - a guide for Schools (found on www.gov.uk) - Web
