Keeping staff and students safe
Health and Safety Consultants for Secondary Schools
Secondary and high schools have multiple, complex risks due to workshop equipment, science departments, large sports facilities, challenging school trips/adventurous training and international travel.
We act as your competent person for health and safety, delivering full detailed compliance audits, action plans, training, policy and risk assessment support.
Who We Work With
We help those responsible for keeping high school children and staff safe, providing expert guidance on compliance, risk management, and staff training.
This includes:
- Head Teachers
- School Governers
- Facilities Managers
- Department Leaders
- Caretakers
- School Business Managers
Key Health and Safety Risks in Secondary Schools.
The risks at secondary schools can often be more complex than those in primary education. Not just because of context and properties, but also the nature of the students. We also have expertise in working with schools with special educational needs and disabled (SEND) facilities, along with schools with special provisions.
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Electrical Safety
High schools have complex electrical systems: server rooms, fixed wiring, PAT requirements, and high usage of workshops and ICT areas. Damaged sockets, overloaded systems, and poor maintenance can further increase these risks.
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Asbestos & Legionella Compliance
Older high‑school buildings frequently contain asbestos and have complicated water systems. Risks arise from uncontrolled disturbance, poor record management, or overdue legionella controls.
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Fire Safety & Evacuation Failures
High traffic, large buildings, and specialist classrooms increase arson risk, egress challenges, and evacuation complexity. Many schools lack ongoing fire‑marshal training or have outdated fire‑risk assessments.
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Equipment & Facilities
Secondary schools operate higher‑risk equipment including woodworking tools, metalwork machinery, sports equipment, and lifting equipment. Poor inspection regimes or maintenance failures significantly increase injuries.
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Hazardous Substances & COSHH
High schools use chemicals in science labs, technology rooms, and cleaning operations. The use of these chemicals carry risks, including improper storage, missing COSHH assessments, outdated Safety Data Sheets, and untrained staff.
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Occupational Stress & Wellbeing
High schools face increased behavioural incidents, supervision pressures, and complex timetables. Stress, burnout, and aggression towards staff are prevalent and can directly impact the wellbeing of your staff and students.
Compliance in Secondary 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 ensures your school meets the specific legal requirements that apply to secondary 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 secondary 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.
We ensure your school policies meet all local authority requirements.
How We Support You
Whilst several risks at schools are similar across all levels of education, we understand High Schools may have additional hazards and factors to consider. This is why we work closely with school business managers, bursars and estates directors to develop health and safety training that is effective and practical.
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Learning & Development
We deliver training courses specifically designed for secondary 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 high schools may have additional hazards and factors to consider. Our audits are tailored to your school and your unique buildings and risks.
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Consultancy
We work with your 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 Secondary Schools choose Vita Safety
Secondary schools and special provision schools choose Vita Safety because we understand your context and setting.
We do not try and just sell you a generic package. We take time to understand your site, school, community and how health, safety and fire advice is best delivered to meet your needs
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FlexibilityVita Safety’s agile health and safety support is as flexible as your school, adapting and changing as you grow. Meaning 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 staff 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.
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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.
“Vita Safety have provided consistently high quality health and safety support to Wright Robinson College. Their audits are thorough, professional, and clearly focused on practical improvement, giving us confidence that risks are being managed effectively across our large and complex site.
“The team take the time to understand our PFI arrangements and work collaboratively with us and our facilities partners, making the whole process smooth and constructive. Their expert advice and detailed reporting have been invaluable in strengthening our compliance and ensuring a safe environment for staff, pupils, and visitors. Vita Safety are a trusted and highly dependable partner.”
Jon Marshall, PFI Contract Manager, Wright Robinson College
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for health and safety in high schools?
If it is a maintained school the employer, i.e. the local authority is responsible for health and safety. However, the school head, leadership team and staff all have duties and responsibilities in health and safety law.
How often should health and safety audits be carried out in secondary schools?
We recommend reviewing your health and safety programme at least annually, as things can always change. However, if there are building or operational changes, health and safety audits and fire risk assessments need to be reviewed and updated as soon as possible.
Do school science labs require COSHH assessments?
Yes, as labs and science departments require COSHH assessments, as they will deal with potentially hazardous substances, which may cause injury or ill health if you come into contact with them.
What accidents must be recorded in secondary schools?
All accidents must be documented and investigated. Certain accidents will be reportable as per RIDDOR. Vita Safety always advise our schools on what must be recorded, to who and when. Typically accidents are reportable via RIDDOR if a staff member or pupil is injured, becomes ill, or has to go to hospital due to a work, equipment or property condition related issue. General play related accidents are not reportable. Vita Safety will advise you on when an accident is reportable under RIDDOR or not.
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.
