Competent Advice | Practical Approach

Introducing SafeSchool™ from Ark

SafeSchool™ is an all in one Health & Safety Service for Schools comprising of consultancy services, policy development, staff training and advice for one annual fixed cost.

Competent Advice | Practical Approach​

Health & Safety issues putting strain on management time?

Worried about the consequences of failing to comply with the law and regulations?

SafeSchool™ from Ark,  is your fully managed health and safety program for a single annual cost. No hidden costs, just outsource this body of work to Ark and let us deal with Policy Updates, Risk Assessments and Staff Training.

Competent Advice | Practical Approach​

SafeSchool™ from Ark is your fully managed Health & Safety Program

Health & Safety, for most schools, can seem complex and time-consuming, which is why we have developed an all in one Health & Safety Service for your school.

As a competency-based profession, we have the necessary qualifications, knowledge and experience to help you address your school’s Health & Safety obligations all year round.

A Health & Safety Review will be held annually with key stakeholders including Management, Administration and Postholders.

It comprises of a walk-through inspection of the building and grounds and a review of all relevant health and safety documentation.

From a policy that isn’t being executed properly to a procedure or risk assessment that’s out of date, we can conduct a thorough examination of your buildings, practices and procedures to identify and remedy any areas where you’re exposed.

The action plan will include a prioritised list of recommendations to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, guidance and best practice. This will allow management to delegate actions in line with our recommendations, the school’s budget and competing priorities.

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 places a legal duty on all schools to prepare a Health & Safety Statement and to review it annually.

We prepare (and update annually) the health & safety policy in accordance with the latest legislation and guidance applicable to your school, including but not limited to:

  • Safety, Health and Welfare Policy.
  • School Profile.
  • Resources to be applied to Safety, Health and Welfare in the School.
  • Roles and Responsibilities for Safety, Health and Welfare.
  • Risk Assessment.
  • Emergency Procedures, Fire Safety, First-Aid, Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences.
  • Instruction, Training and Supervision.
  • Communication and Consultation.
  • Monitoring, Review and Update.

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 places a legal duty on all schools to maintain up to date risk assessments.

We will draft (and then review annually) Risk Assessments to ensure they meet the requirements of the Health & Safety Authority Guidance Document for Post Primary Schools including but not limited to:
  • General Classrooms.
  • Practical Classrooms (Secondary Schools).
  • Covid-19.
  • Caretaker / Cleaner Activities.
  • After School Events.
  • Staff Room.
  • Break Time Areas.
  • Canteen Areas.
  • Sports Facilities.
  • Off-site activities.
  • Offices.
  • External Areas.
  • School Tours and Trips.

We will then prepare and maintain a system of forms & checklists including but not limited to:

  • School Health & Safety Calendar.
  • New Staff Induction Training.
  • Safety Committee Meeting Attendance.
  • Personal Protective Equipment Issued.
  • Science Labs Safety Inspection Form.
  • Caretakers Workshop Safety Inspection Form.
  • Art Room Safety Inspection Form.
  • General Classroom Safety Inspection Form.
  • Fire Drill Report.
  • AED Inspection.

A safety committee facilitates the consultation process on safety, health and welfare matters in a school, for example, by reviewing the school policy and procedures. 

We’ll form the Safety Committee, attend meetings once per term and advise/assist the team as required.

Where appointed we will train and support the postholder in their role, in particular when addressing:

  • Statutory Inspections.
  • Fire Drills.
  • Emergency Procedures.
  • Routine inspections.
  • Records Management.

GDPR for Schools

Training is an ongoing legal requirement for Boards of Management and school leaders. However, a lack of sector-specific training leads to lower course engagement. Affording staff the time and headspace to carry out this necessary training is often the most difficult challenge.

The Ark Academy™ is designed to engage and educate school staff on essential topics such as GDPR. Ark specifically designed these courses for school staff, both in terms of context and content. 

We then prepare a pack for your Board of Management outlining the requirements of Health & Safety Legislation and the measures taken at the school to meet these obligations. This will include a collated set of documentation prepared specifically for the school demonstrating compliance with Health & Safety legislation.

School leaders need specialist advice and support throughout the school year. Given the complexity of such legal matters as Health & Safety, access to timely expertise is not always available from Management Bodies or Supervisory Authorities.

Our Retained Advice & Support Service provides same-day advice and assistance to you. You get access to expert advice and practical experience from your dedicated subject matter expert during normal business hours.

Tailor-Made for The Education Sector

Why SafeSchool™?

All in one Health & Safety Service for Schools

Free Up Time

Outsourcing Health & Safety Expertise to Ark frees up time to focus on your students, staff and the wider school community.

Cost Certainty

You have cost certainty with our fixed-fee model tied to capitation, and our experience tells us you won't need more than what we offer with our SafeSchool™ product.

Peace of Mind

Get true peace of mind knowing that your Health & Safety Program is being managed by a team of professionals who know how schools work.

Education Sector Specialists

We have the expertise to help simplify complex Health & Safety legislation, find workable solutions to these challenges, and protect your school from the rising cost of non-compliance.

Whole School Support

SafeSchool™ can support all staff in your school, from those managing tours and trips to those purchasing new equipment. Now they have timely support on Health & Safety matters.

Not just for Management

By incorporating The Ark Academy™ into SafeSchool™, you now get tailored training for all your staff ensuring they also follow best practice.

Enquire today about SafeSchool™

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Compliance Solutions for Schools

We have a suite of new compliance programs for the Education Sector.