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Health and safety

Acting in loco parentis brings great responsibility to the school's governors and teachers. It's vital to know what you're expected to do day-to-day or in an emergency and what health and safety regulations govern this.

Legislation covering health and safety in schools is covered on TeacherNet.
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk /management/atoz/h/healthandsafety/

More general links about health and safety are on TeacherNet.
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk /wholeschool/healthandsafety/

Legislation and practical help about trespassers can be found on TeacherNet:
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk /management/atoz/T/Trespassers/index.cfm? code=main

Health and safety off school premises, for example on school trips, is also discussed on TeacherNet.
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk /wholeschool/healthandsafety/visits/

The DfES commissioned a poster from the British Association of Advisers and Lecturers in Physical Education. It aims to encourage safe practice, and schools could usefully display it in common rooms and sporting areas. The poster can be downloaded.
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk /wholeschool/healthandsafety/pesafety/

The prevention of accidents is the surest road to health and safety. Does your LA have a policy? It still counts to plan for an emergency.
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk /emergencies

You can help promote health and safety through education. The PSHE site shows how such issues can be taught through the curriculum.
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk /pshe

The Health and Safety Executive is the authority on these issues (not only in schools).
http://www.hse.gov.uk/

Information on child protection can be found on TeacherNet.
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk /wholeschool/familyandcommunity/childprot ection/

Information on Health and Safety at Work Law can be found on TeacherNet.
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk /wholeschool/healthandsafety/visits/respo nsibilities/ visitsresponsibilitiessection1/

The NUT website provides comprehensive information and guidance on health and safety in school.
http://www.teachers.org.uk/t opichome.php?id=54&PHPSESSID=8fe71a2b258b 76de09be5f072fef0a24

For information on the rights and responsibilities of Science teachers, and an overview of health and safety in the science classroom, see TeacherNet.
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk /teachinginengland/detail.cfm?id=336