Health & Safety Policy

Victoria English School
London, England

1. Purpose

1.1 Commitment to Health & Safety
At Victoria English School, we recognize and accept our responsibility to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of our students, employees, visitors, and any other persons who may be affected by our activities. Our commitment to health and safety is an integral part of our operations and is given the highest priority.

1.2 Aims of This Policy
The aim of this policy is to:

• Prevent personal injury, damage to health, and damage to property and equipment.
• Protect all individuals from foreseeable hazards, including staff, students, their families, business partners, suppliers, contractors, visitors to our premises, and members of the public.
• Ensure that all equipment used in the school is safe and well-maintained, and that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided when necessary.
• Provide relevant health and safety training and information to all employees and students, ensuring that everyone is informed of potential hazards.
• Clearly display safety notices and guidelines throughout the school premises for visibility and awareness.

1.3 Non-Contractual Nature
This policy is non-contractual but sets out the general principles under which we operate regarding health and safety.

2. Scope

2.1 Policy Coverage
This policy applies to all employees, students, contractors, and visitors to Victoria English School. It is the responsibility of all members of the school community to cooperate fully with this policy to ensure that we maintain a safe and healthy environment.

2.2 Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failure to adhere to health and safety requirements will be regarded as a serious matter. Any negligence that leads to dangerous situations or accidents may result in disciplinary actions or legal consequences.

3. Responsibilities

3.1 Employer’s Duties
We are committed to:

• Providing and maintaining safe working and learning conditions that meet or exceed the standards laid out by UK health and safety regulations.
• Providing adequate training, information, and supervision to ensure that all employees and students can carry out their activities safely and without risk to health.
• Making safety equipment and personal protective gear available where necessary and ensuring staff are trained in its proper use.
• Providing suitable first aid facilities and trained first aid personnel.
• Adopting a proactive approach to prevent health and safety risks, including regular risk assessments and inspections.
• Maintaining a register of accidents and incidents, ensuring that investigations are carried out to identify causes and prevent recurrence.
• Ensuring that all staff and management are aware of their roles in maintaining a safe and healthy environment, and lead by example.

3.2 Employee and Student Responsibilities
All employees and students must:

• Familiarize themselves with the health and safety policies and procedures of the school.
• Report any hazards or unsafe practices to the Health and Safety Officer immediately.
• Follow safe working and learning practices and not interfere with or remove safety devices from equipment.
• Maintain a tidy work or study environment and ensure that all equipment is used correctly.
• Immediately report any accidents or “near misses” to the Health and Safety Officer and complete an Accident Report Form if necessary.
• Follow emergency procedures, including fire drills, evacuation routes, and first aid protocols.
• Take responsibility for their own wellbeing and that of their peers by adhering to health and safety rules and regulations.

4. Consultation and Communication

4.1 Consultation with Staff and Students
Effective health and safety performance can only be achieved through active cooperation. We will regularly consult staff and students through meetings and feedback forms to discuss safety concerns and improvements. All members of the school community are encouraged to raise health and safety issues with the management team or Health and Safety Officer.

5. Safety Information and Insurance

5.1 Health and Safety Information
We will display key health and safety information, including emergency procedures and first aid details, prominently throughout the premises. All employees and students will be provided with relevant health and safety guidelines upon enrollment and during induction sessions.

5.2 Risk Assessments
We conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards, and we will maintain a record of these assessments. Specific assessments will be carried out for areas such as manual handling, the use of hazardous substances, and work with electrical equipment.

5.3 Insurance Coverage
Our employers’ liability insurance covers accidents or injuries that occur on school premises. A copy of our insurance certificate is available for inspection in the school office.

6. Fire Safety

6.1 Fire Procedures
We have implemented fire safety regulations to ensure the safe evacuation of the premises in case of fire. Fire exits, alarms, and fire safety instructions are clearly marked. Regular fire drills will be held, and employees and students will be informed of the procedures during their induction.

6.2 Fire Wardens
Our fire wardens are trained and will lead evacuation efforts in the event of a fire. Their names and contact details will be provided to all staff and students.

7. First Aid and Emergency Procedures

7.1 First Aid Provision
We have trained first aiders on-site at all times. The names and contact details of the first aiders, as well as the location of first aid kits, will be provided to all staff and students. In case of an accident or medical emergency, students should immediately report to a first aider.

7.2 Accident Reporting
All accidents, injuries, or “near misses” must be reported and recorded in the Accident Book, which is maintained in the school office. Any serious accidents will be investigated to determine the cause and prevent future occurrences.

8. Specific Health & Safety Risks

8.1 Young People and Vulnerable Individuals
We will take additional measures to safeguard young students and vulnerable individuals by conducting individual risk assessments and providing appropriate supervision at all times.

8.2 Pregnant Employees
Pregnant employees will undergo a specific risk assessment to ensure their safety during their employment.

9. Review and Policy Updates

9.1 Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains in line with current legislation and best practices. Any changes will be communicated to all staff and students.

10. Contact Information

For any questions or concerns regarding health and safety, please contact:
Health and Safety Officer
Email: info@victoriaenglishschool.com
Phone: [Insert Phone Number]

This Health & Safety Policy is intended to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment at Victoria English School. All members of the school community are expected to comply with the guidelines to protect themselves and others.