CalmComplianceRisk Assessment template
School External Grounds Hazards Risk Assessment
- Version
- v1
- Updated
- 1 October 2026
- Audience
- Primary and secondary schools in England, including maintained schools and academies; not independent schools.
- Jurisdiction
- england
Activity assessed
Assessment and control of hazards in school grounds and external areas, including ponds, excavations, ground contamination and electrical plants, with access exclusion arrangements, inspection evidence and review actions. Apply entries only where the relevant hazard is identified or could be accessed by pupils, staff or visitors.
Assess each hazard and its controls against your site before use. Template ratings require local review.
Hazards and controls
Ponds or other areas of open water in school grounds that pupils, staff or visitors could access, including risks arising from unplanned entry or unsafe conditions.
- Existing controls
- No site controls are assumed in this reusable register. Record the controls already in place, their location, responsible owner and available inspection or maintenance evidence.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, define and maintain suitable exclusion arrangements for the pond or open-water area. Consider secure boundaries, controlled access, suitable warning information, supervision arrangements and procedures for responding to damage or unauthorised access. Specify inspection arrangements, record checks and review whether the arrangements remain effective.
Local assessment and additional controls
Excavations, trenches, holes, uneven temporary ground or related works in external areas that pupils, staff or visitors could access.
- Existing controls
- No site controls are assumed in this reusable register. Record any existing barriers, covers, access restrictions, contractor arrangements, permits, warnings, inspections and maintenance evidence.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, prevent access to excavations and related works through suitable physical exclusion arrangements and manage access during work and when areas are unattended. Define how temporary controls are checked, how defects or changes are escalated, and how the area is made safe when work is complete. Keep records of arrangements and checks and review their effectiveness.
Local assessment and additional controls
Actual or suspected ground contamination in external areas, including locations that pupils, staff or visitors could access or disturb.
- Existing controls
- No site conditions, controls or investigation results are assumed in this reusable register. Record available information about suspected or identified contamination, existing access restrictions, advice received and related inspection or remediation evidence.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, identify and restrict access to affected or potentially affected areas while the hazard is being assessed or managed. Establish arrangements for obtaining competent advice, controlling disturbance of the ground, communicating relevant restrictions and recording checks. Review the arrangements when information about the area, its use or its condition changes.
Local assessment and additional controls
Electrical plants or associated external electrical equipment that pupils, staff or visitors could access, including risks from unauthorised entry, damage or unsafe condition.
- Existing controls
- No site controls are assumed in this reusable register. Record the locations and types of electrical plant, existing security or access arrangements, responsible persons, maintenance arrangements and inspection evidence.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, maintain suitable exclusion and access-control arrangements for electrical plants and associated equipment. Define how damage, unauthorised access or unsafe conditions are reported and made safe, and coordinate access with authorised maintenance or utility personnel. Record checks and review whether the arrangements remain effective.
Local assessment and additional controls
Pupils, staff or visitors entering identified grounds-hazard areas because boundaries, gates, covers, warnings, supervision or other exclusion arrangements are absent, damaged or ineffective.
- Existing controls
- No site-wide access arrangements are assumed in this reusable register. Record existing boundaries, gates, locks, covers, signs, supervision arrangements, access permissions and evidence that they are checked.
- Proposed controls
- Where an identified grounds hazard could be accessed, establish proportionate exclusion arrangements for the relevant area and communicate them to people who may need to use or supervise the grounds. Define inspection frequency or trigger, responsible roles, defect reporting and interim arrangements when controls are damaged or ineffective. Keep records of arrangements and checks and review whether they are effective.
Local assessment and additional controls
Failure to identify changes in grounds hazards or to retain evidence of arrangements, checks and review actions, resulting in ineffective or outdated controls.
- Existing controls
- No inspection, record-keeping or review system is assumed in this reusable register. Record any existing inspection schedules, forms, defect logs, action trackers, responsible roles and review records.
- Proposed controls
- Where grounds hazards are identified, define how they are assessed, managed and regularly reviewed. Keep records of the arrangements and checks made, including the area checked, date, person completing the check, findings, actions, ownership and completion status. Review after changes, incidents, defects, work or other relevant events, and record any resulting actions.
Local assessment and additional controls