Keeping staff and students safe
Health and Safety Consultants for Primary Schools
Primary schools face unique safeguarding and operational challenges, including playground safety, injury prevention, duty-of-care compliance, and fire safety. We partner with your leadership team to identify vulnerabilities, build robust safety systems, and embed a protective culture throughout your setting.
The result: demonstrably safer environments, reduced incidents, and the confidence that you’re genuinely protecting your children and staff.
Who We Work With
We help those responsible for keeping Primary School children and staff safe, providing expert guidance on compliance, risk management, and staff training.
This includes:
- Head Teachers
- School Governers
- Facilities Managers
- Caretakers
- School Business Managers
Key Health and Safety Risks in Primary Schools.
Primary schools must navigate multiple health and safety risks for both staff and students. At Vita Safety, we help you to identify and address them.
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Playground and Equipment Safety
We help advise on, and risk assess, play equipment, trim trails and other activity equipment.
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Safety on school trips
We train staff in completing health and safety risk assessments for school trips and review your policy and procedures for school trips.
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Fire Safety
We complete fire risk assessments for primary schools and provide advice on other fire safety matters and training for fire marshals.
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Contractor/Facilities Management
We partner with schools to ensure you have the right policies and procedures to manage contractors and any new build projects.
Compliance in Primary Schools
As your competent person for health and safety, we ensure that we identify all relevant health, safety and fire regulations you must comply with. Not only this, we help to put in place robust policies and procedures to demonstrate you have the processes in place.
Our team of qualified consultants ensure your school meets the specific legal requirements that apply to primary education:
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (RIDDOR) Regulations. We advise on what must be reported to the HSE or local authority, when and by who.
We work with you to ensure that you have the most up to date policy, organisation and arrangements to comply with health and safety statute and regulations. Our team of qualified consultants ensures your school meets the specific legal requirements that apply to primary education.
Aligning risk assessments and safety policies with government standards.
Helping your school maintain safe environments for inspections. Advising on the Ofsted guidance for successful estate management.
We advise clients on all conduction, building and maintenance matters when CDM may apply.
How We Support You
We understand that primary schools can lack resources and budgets for large scale spend on health and safety. However, it is still taken very seriously. We tailor our support to your budget and make sure you are still fully covered for all health, safety and fire regulations and best practice
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Learning & Development
We deliver training courses specifically designed for primary schools, including; health and safety leadership for governors and senior leadership teams, risk assessment for school trips, fire safety, property risk management and first aid.
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Audits
Whilst several risks at schools are similar, we understand primary schools may have additional hazards and factors to consider. Our audits are tailored to your primary school and your unique buildings and risks.
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Consultancy
We work with your primary school leaders to develop policies, procedures, handbooks and education specific health and safety management systems. We use the latest technology to help you manage policies, procedures and facilities management online.
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Competent Person Service
We act as your school’s competent person for health and safety, as required by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Our bespoke service means we are always at the end of the phone or on email for any advice you need.
Why Primary Schools choose Vita Safety
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FlexibilityHealth and safety support that is as flexible as your school, adapting and changing as you grow. Assurance that you’re always protected and in control, even in times of change.
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Peace of MindExpert support services, benchmarked against national and international standards. Be sure that you’re fully compliant with health and safety guidance and legislation.
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AssuranceFeel confident that you’re always doing your utmost to look after your staff and students’ physical and mental health.
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DevelopmentAccredited health and safety training for your leaders and executives that does more than just tick boxes. It’s engaging and enjoyable while delivering essential skills and knowledge.
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ControlEnabling your teams to competently and effectively take control of health and safety in your school with expertise and autonomy. Minimise risks and keep your staff and students safe from hazards, injuries and illnesses.
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Unique to YouEvery school is unique. We listen to what you need and build bespoke service packages to match your specifications and requirements exactly.
Building relationships that last
Change for growth and good
We build long-term partnerships with our clients based on mutual trust and respect. Discover what our valued clients have to say about the support and services we provide.
“Crossacres Primary Academy has partnered with Vita Safety since 2020, supporting us in developing a clear and practical approach to health and safety across the school. From carrying out in-depth audits and fire risk assessments to helping us shape and update our policies, their work has given us a structured framework that fits the realities of a busy primary setting.
Their recommendations are realistic, well explained and focused on helping us make steady, meaningful improvements. We know we can pick up the phone whenever we need guidance, and that ongoing support has been invaluable. Their input has helped us maintain high standards and create a safe environment where our whole school community can feel confident.”
Dale Farnell, Site Manager, Crossacres Primary Academy School.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for health and safety in schools?
Day‑to‑day management is usually delegated to the headteacher and senior leadership team, who ensure risks are managed effectively and that staff follow school procedures.
Schools must also appoint a competent person with appropriate skills and knowledge to support health and safety compliance.
How often should fire drills be carried out in a primary school?
Best practice and statutory guidance indicate that primary schools should conduct regular fire drills, typically:
- At least once every month while the school is in session.
- Two drills within the first 30 days of term is a common requirement in many jurisdictions. [nfpa.org]
Regular practice helps pupils and staff understand evacuation routes, maintain calm during emergencies, and build effective “muscle memory” for safe evacuation.
When does a school need to report an incident to the HSE?
Under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013), schools must report specific incidents that arise “out of or in connection with work”. These include:
- Serious injuries to employees (e.g., fractures, hospital treatment).
- Injuries to pupils or visitors that result in them being taken directly to hospital for treatment.
- Dangerous occurrences (e.g. structural collapses or major equipment failures.)
- Specified occupational diseases diagnosed in staff.
Minor injuries or routine playground incidents typically do not require reporting to HSE.
The responsible person (whether this is the employer or a delegated Health and Safety Consultant) must submit the report online or, in serious cases, notify HSE by phone.
What should a primary school risk assessment include?
A school risk assessment is a written process that identifies hazards, evaluates risks, and sets control measures. Effective assessments should include:
- Clear description of the activity or environment being assessed.
- Identification of hazards (e.g., slips, equipment, chemicals, vehicles, playground surfaces).
- Who might be harmed (pupils, staff, visitors, contractors).
- Evaluation of likelihood and severity of harm.
- Control measures to reduce risk “as far as reasonably practicable”.
- Record‑keeping, review dates, and named responsible staff.
What is the RIDDOR policy in schools?
The RIDDOR policy in schools documents how the school will comply with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013 to the HSE. This legislation requires reporting of certain accidents diseases and dangerous occurrences arising out of or in connection with work.
What health and safety training should schools provide for staff?
Schools must ensure staff receive appropriate information and training about health and safety to assess risks specific to their job and meet their roles and responsibilities as identified within the H&S policy.
What primary school activities and scenarios require health and safety assessments
- Fire safety and evacuation.
- Science, PE, DT, art, and food tech activities.
- Playgrounds and external areas.
- Off‑site visits/trips (including transport, first aid, staffing ratios).
- Managing pupils with SEND and medical needs.
- Routine day‑to‑day scenarios (lunchtimes, transitions, assemblies).
Get in touch with our expert school support team
If you’re looking for expert support with health and safety in your school, we can help.
By outsourcing your health and safety management with Vita Safety, you get the immediate support you need now, and a partner to help you take control of health and safety in your school for the future.
We get to know you and your school and provide comprehensive health and safety support that is just what you need to keep your staff and students safe.
Fill in our contact form, let us know what health and safety challenges you’re facing, and we’ll get back to you by the end of the next working day.
