Why is health and safety important in a school setting?

Health and safety is important in schools because there is a very particular duty of care – the Government Health & Safety Advice for Schools makes it clear that 'teachers and other staff in schools have a common law duty when in charge of pupils to take the same care of them as they would as a parent' and this applies in the classroom, at playtime, as well as during school clubs and off-site trips. It goes without saying that large numbers of energetic pupils (including very young children) in one place will inevitably lead to accidents and incidents without stringent health and safety compliance in place. 

But health and safety in schools is important because it's more than just mitigating risks from trips, falls and other physical accidents. It encompasses mental health too, which is why polices and charters, such as the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter, are created to ensure staff's mental wellbeing is looked after. It's no secret that working in education is a high-pressure environment, and it's in the interest of the school to reduce workplace stress and illness and keep teams running smoothly in order to provide the best education for children.