is your child safe at school

Is your child safe at school?

Asking the right questions about safety at schools

For any parent, school safety must simply be a guarantee.

Michael Visser - Head of Services

4 March 2020 | 2 minute read

While not all situations can be controlled, nevertheless parents can be pro-active in making sure that they ask schools the right kinds of questions about safety measures.

Legal&Tax’s expert Michael Visser offers a list of 10 critical questions you should be asking your school.

1. Safety Procedures

What safety procedures does the school have documented? What staff training has been conducted to make sure that all those in charge can carry out these processes?

2. Drills

How often do you conduct drills? What is the procedures that you are showing students during the drills?

3. Who takes charge?

Who on the staff is in charge of school safety as a major part of his or her job?

What are the specific areas in which they have expertise?

4. Staff training

How many staff members are trained in CPR and other life saving techniques?

Are they required to be at school events and other outside school activities and outings?

5. Security monitoring

What security measures are in place to monitor those entering the school grounds?

What other security monitoring takes place at schools such as having security guards, CCTV cameras and staff members on break duty?

6. Emergency contact

In the case of emergencies, how will the school contact the parents or other guardians? What contact details do parents have if they want to speak to authorities in the school about safety matters or emergencies?

7. School grounds and equipment

Is the school as hazard-free as possible, both inside the buildings and on the grounds?

Is all sports equipment well maintained?

Has a health and safety inspector issued the correct certification that proves all standards have been met?

8. Transportation

When transporting students to events off the school grounds:

Do you use school vehicles and drivers, or outsourced transport service providers?
In either case, how do you ensure roadworthiness and driver capability?

9. Outside Assistance

Is there good coordination between the school and local first responders such as firefighters, police and nearby hospitals?

10. Legal Obligations

What does the school understand its legal obligations to be when it comes to school safety?

Parents need to know that while school are legal obligated to look after the students safety, if a parent signs an indemnity form such as for an outing, this will mean that they are waiving away the school’s legal obligations.

Therefore make sure you ask about the legal rights connected to any forms you are asked to sign.