Risky Business

What do you notice- apart from all the girls looking the same? Did you notice any risk? What we notice, and what we miss, determines whether risk assessments are meaningful safeguards or just paperwork.

With school trips and residentials around the corner, risk assessments are top of mind. Leaders sign them off and teachers write them; both approach the situation with childrens' safety in mind but do hidden commitments prevent them from being done well?

Kegan & Lahey's Immunity to Change shows that lasting change needs shifts in behaviour, skills, and mindset. Teachers’ hidden commitments, driven by workload and ‘big assumptions’, such as fearing that time spent on risk assessments will disrupt lessons or marking, can reinforce these patterns and make change difficult.

Teachers' 'immunity systems' may keep them stuck in patterns where they believe in safeguarding children but could improve their risk assessments through improved planning and reflection. Ask yourself: Do you know what a good risk assessment looks like?

Have you covered everything that needs a risk assessment? You might remember the obvious ones including schools trips and Science labs (Science activities require careful risk assessments and adherence to COSHH to ensure that any hazardous substances are identified, managed, and used safely), but do you have risk assessments for fire safety, boarding, use of chemicals and equipment, design and technology workshops, art studios using paints and solvents, sports and physical education activities, use of machinery and tools, catering and food preparation, medical and first aid provision, cleaning and maintenance activities, use of IT equipment and electrical systems, playground and outdoor equipment, high-risk activities such as adventure sports, transport arrangements, and site security. Your school might need more than these. Are yours sufficiently detailed and have they been signed? Do you consider the individual children at risk? Do you review and improve your risk assessments? Risk assessments take time but are key in safeguarding pupils.

When we uncover hidden commitments, we can see risk more clearly, support teachers to work smarter, and create safer, more thoughtful learning environments for every child. #Safeguarding #HiddenCommitments #ImmunityToChange #EducationLeadership #RiskAssessment #ProfessionalGrowth #SchoolLeadership