CalmComplianceRisk Assessment template
School Drainage and Flood-Risk Assessment
- Version
- v1
- Updated
- 1 October 2026
- Audience
- Maintained and academy primary and secondary schools in England, excluding independent schools. Complete using evidence from the individual school's site, drainage arrangements and local flood hazards.
- Jurisdiction
- england
Activity assessed
Assess and manage drainage and flood-related risks affecting school buildings, grounds, people, equipment, operations and hygiene, including routine inspection, maintenance, incident response and review of remedial actions.
Assess each hazard and its controls against your site before use. Template ratings require local review.
Hazards and controls
Drainage capacity may be insufficient for rainfall, runoff or local conditions, causing internal or external flooding, water damage and disruption.
- Existing controls
- No site-specific existing controls were provided. Verify the drainage layout, drainage capacity information, inspection arrangements, maintenance records and any known defects or restrictions before recording existing controls.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, identify and document the drainage system serving the site, assess whether its capacity is suitable for the site's known conditions, arrange competent inspection where capacity or condition is uncertain, and record remedial actions, owners and review dates. Monitor and maintain drainage systems and review flood risks regularly.
Local assessment and additional controls
Blocked, obstructed or damaged gullies, drains, channels, pipes or outlets may cause ponding, surcharge, flooding, contamination and access hazards.
- Existing controls
- No site-specific existing controls were provided. Verify inspection frequencies, cleaning arrangements, defect reporting, contractor arrangements and records of previous blockages.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, inspect drainage components at a risk-based frequency and after relevant weather events, keep inlets and outlets clear, deal promptly with blockages and defects, and retain records of findings and completed remedial work.
Local assessment and additional controls
Ponding water on roofs or at roof drainage points may cause leakage, structural or fabric damage, falling materials, electrical hazards, mould or disruption to occupied areas.
- Existing controls
- No site-specific existing controls were provided. Verify roof types, access arrangements, inspection and cleaning arrangements, known leaks, roof drainage condition and maintenance records.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, arrange safe inspection of roofs and roof drainage by competent persons, keep outlets and rainwater goods clear, respond promptly to roof ponding or leaks, restrict access to unsafe areas, and record repairs and follow-up checks.
Local assessment and additional controls
Surface-water flooding may enter buildings or grounds, affect routes and services, damage property, introduce contaminants and interrupt school operations.
- Existing controls
- No site-specific existing controls were provided. Verify the school's local surface-water flood information, ground levels, flow paths, entrances, vulnerable rooms, drainage features and arrangements for monitoring warnings.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, assess the site's vulnerability to surface-water flooding using current local information and site evidence, identify vulnerable areas and safe routes, keep relevant drainage infrastructure maintained, and define proportionate actions for warnings, rising water and recovery.
Local assessment and additional controls
River or coastal flooding, where the site is exposed, may affect buildings, grounds, people, equipment, utilities, access and continuity of education.
- Existing controls
- No site-specific existing controls were provided. Verify whether the site is within an identified river or coastal flood area, relevant warning arrangements, building vulnerabilities, access constraints and any existing flood response measures.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, assess river and coastal flood vulnerability using current local flood information and site evidence, identify areas requiring protection or temporary measures, plan safe access and evacuation or relocation arrangements, and review the arrangements regularly.
Local assessment and additional controls
Reservoir flooding, where the site is within an affected area, may result in rapid inundation, unsafe access, contamination, damage and operational disruption.
- Existing controls
- No site-specific existing controls were provided. Verify whether reservoir flood risk applies to the site, the relevant local information and warnings, potential flow routes, safe locations and arrangements for communicating with staff, pupils and emergency contacts.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, assess reservoir flood vulnerability using current local information, incorporate relevant warnings and response actions into emergency planning, identify safe movement or relocation arrangements, and review the plan when site or local risk information changes.
Local assessment and additional controls
Floodwater or drainage failure may introduce sewage, chemicals, silt, waste or other contaminants into buildings, grounds, water systems or contact surfaces.
- Existing controls
- No site-specific existing controls were provided. Verify known contamination sources, drainage connections, isolation arrangements, cleaning and disinfection procedures, waste arrangements and criteria for restricting access.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, treat floodwater as potentially contaminated, prevent access to affected areas until assessed and made safe, arrange appropriate cleaning and disinfection, protect or isolate affected services where necessary, and obtain competent advice before reoccupation or use of contaminated systems.
Local assessment and additional controls
Flooding, leaks or prolonged damp may damage building fabric, contents, electrical systems, heating, IT, teaching resources and storage, creating secondary safety risks.
- Existing controls
- No site-specific existing controls were provided. Verify locations of vulnerable assets and services, isolation arrangements, inspection records, previous water damage and procedures for protecting or relocating equipment.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, identify vulnerable assets and services, protect or relocate critical equipment where practicable, arrange safe isolation and inspection of affected electrical or mechanical systems, document damage, and prevent re-use until competent checks confirm that it is safe.
Local assessment and additional controls
Flooding or drainage failure may disrupt access, attendance, safeguarding arrangements, catering, sanitation, teaching, transport, deliveries and communication.
- Existing controls
- No site-specific existing controls were provided. Verify business continuity arrangements, alternative access or accommodation, communication routes, critical functions, vulnerable groups and arrangements for recording decisions during an incident.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, identify critical school operations and dependencies, define arrangements for restricting access or changing operations, maintain suitable communication and escalation arrangements, identify alternative arrangements for essential functions, and review flood-related disruption planning regularly.
Local assessment and additional controls
Inadequate monitoring, maintenance or review may allow drainage defects and changing flood risks to remain unidentified, increasing the likelihood of flooding, contamination, water damage and disruption.
- Existing controls
- No site-specific existing controls were provided. Verify responsibilities, inspection and maintenance schedules, reporting routes, contractor arrangements, records, review triggers and outstanding actions.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, assign responsibility for drainage and flood-risk monitoring, maintain inspection and repair records, deal promptly with reported defects and blockages, review flood risks regularly, and update this register after incidents, significant works, changes in use or changes in local flood information.
Local assessment and additional controls