Playground Policy

PLAYGROUND POLICY

and RISK ASSESSMENT

2016-17

Document Control

Review Process Prior to Ratification

INTRODUCTION

At Bradford Academy we value the contribution that outdoor playcan have to our learners. It widens the learning experience and promotes greater independence. It improves the learner’s affiliation to the Academy and generates more positive relationships with other learners and adults. It is the responsibility of all members of staff to secure the affirmation, formation and achievement of every learner in a safe environment.

The use of the Academy’s primary play equipment will require good supervision and attention to detail around safety in order to ensure playtimes are fun and safe for those taking part. This policy will outline the policy and procedures to enable playtime on the equipment to take place safely.

The primary play equipment can be used by all the appropriate learners in the Primary Academy depending on location and supervision. Through learning to use the play equipment they learn to risk assess danger for themselves and each other. This builds up their confidence as they begin to take responsibility for the safety for themselves and other learners; in turn this then leads to an increase in self-esteem. They develop trust and empathy for each other and learn to encourage others to succeed as they help each other to overcome obstacles. It also enables them to solve problems – which way to go and how. They develop their oral skills through instructing each other and giving help and advice. Physically they learn how their body works on a variety of different physical challenges; they learn that girls can succeed just as well as boys as strength is not always the key element of success on different play equipment. They learn different movement techniques which promote development of their gross motor skills.

POLICY STATEMENT

This policy is part of Bradford Academy’s overall Health and Safety Policy. It applies to all involved in supervision of a play session from governors to volunteer staff.

This policy is written within the context of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, 1992 and the National Guidance from the Outdoor Education Advisory Panel (OEAP): “Guidance for the Management of Outdoor Learning, Off-Site Visits and Learning outside the Classroom”. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places a duty on employers that they must supply their employees with the information necessary to carry out their duties safely.

The systems, guidelines and responsibilities featured in this document are designed to help the Principal, Governors and staff ensure that learners stay safe and enjoy sessionson the play equipment and also aim to give clarity and assuage concerns that may be expressed by parents and carers.

Staff involved in leading play sessions should demonstrate high levels of safety awareness. The Academy recognises that those leading/supervising the activity must be aware there is a higher duty of care on them when running sessions for young learners as they are not mature enough to understand fully those risks or be responsible for their own involvement. However the awareness of the dangers of the activity must be made clear to all participants (of all ages) in an age appropriate manner to enable them to be able to develop their own awareness of risk and develop their responsibility in managing risks themselves and with each other.

POLICY PURPOSE

1. To ensure all primary play sessions are safe, purposeful and appropriate to meet educational needs of learners taking part.
2. To ensure that learners have the opportunity to benefit from learning opportunities on Primary playequipment.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A designated person (DP) should be nominated with overall responsibility for the play equipment. This person should have the experience to understand the risks involved, safety procedures required and the development necessary to enable it to be used safely and successfully. They should

• Set up the procedures necessary to maintain the safety of the play equipment
• Ensure staff are trained and have the necessary level of competence to lead groups.
• Ensure the equipment is safe and secure and used appropriately

Overall responsibility for the Play Equipment for 2016-17 is Neil Johnston

Lead and supervising staff for primary play equipment

• must be accountable, competent and confident to lead and supervisethe play session
• have responsibility for supervision and safe conduct of the activity
• must ensure that all activities involved with leading and supervision learners on play sessions comply with the procedures and risk assessment outlined in this document.
• must ensure learners are actively supervised at all times during a session.
• must ensure a first aid kit is easily accessible and have the basic knowledge of how to deal with potential injuries.

Other staff and Volunteers

All Academy staff and adult volunteers assisting with supervision on any session should be briefed with the key details of this policyas it applies to them. The leader should ensure that the requirements of the risk assessment, risk control procedures and safe systems are followed. They will ensure that during the session, where any previously unforeseen hazards or risks are identified they are brought to the attention of the class teacher. Staff should also feedback information to the class teacher to enable a review of the session to be completed.

Learners

The play leader should advise the learners of their responsibility to themselves and others. It is good practice to involve the learners in the planning, assessing and managing risk and evaluating the activity.

Learners must be briefed appropriately and understand that they must:

•not take unnecessary risks

•follow the instructions of the play leader and other supervisors

•dress and behave sensibly and safely

A learner whose behaviour may put him/herself or others at risk may be stopped from playing on the equipment.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

For a serious casualty, summon help immediately via the office/ pastoral system and seek/administer first aid.

The Academy’s accident reporting procedure complies with the requirements of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseaseand Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. Whenever a serious accident occurs to any person during a play session, an Incident Report Form should be completed as soon as possible,giving all relevant detail and given to the designated person who will undertake an investigation and report back to the All-Through Principal.The objective of the investigation will be to establish the circumstances of the accident, not to apportion blame. Thismay include seeking statements from witnesses to the accident and preparing reports

DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE PROCEDURES

A dangerous occurrence can be defined as a "near miss" or more correctly a "near hit" where the incident has the potentialto cause serious personal injury, has caused property damage or has the potential to cause property damage. It is importantthat equipment or objects relating to the incident must be left in situ at the time of the incident unless it would be unsafe todo so. The investigative and reporting procedure is exactly the same as for accidents.

MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION

An inspection and maintenance system is in place that follows the guidance in the safety manualsreceived from the companies installing the equipment.

When any equipment checks are done, it must be written in the appropriate check book as a record on that piece ofequipment. Damaged or unsatisfactory items should be removed for further inspection and/ or made unusable and bedisposed of appropriately when considered unsafe.

Maintenance inspections

Daily

• By supervising staff - a check for any issues that arise during the session
• By facilities staff - to ensure that the playground surface is free from debris etc. Empty bins and sweep clean.

Weekly and recorded

• A visual check done by facilities staff for faults or hazards
• Items are secure and free from obstruction
• Checking all fixings – none missing or loose
• Checking surfaces and ropes for abrasions, damage, sharp edges etc.
• Repairing or arranging to repair any items that are damaged or report to the Designated Person to put item out of use.

Annual – to be done by an independent inspector

The last inspection was done by Richard Goodson from The Play Inspection Company on 29 January 2016. The overall judgement was that it was low risk. Areas identified as requiring work were attended to.

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT RISK ASSESSMENT

Playground Equipment Weekly Checklist

Tick if the item is undamaged. If it is damaged then note the problem and arrange for repair. Report problem to NJN