CalmComplianceRisk Assessment template
School Flood-Risk Assessment and Review Checklist
- Version
- v1
- Updated
- 1 October 2026
- Audience
- Maintained and academy primary and secondary schools in England, excluding independent schools. Use by those responsible for premises, estates, health and safety, emergency planning and remedial actions, where relevant risks apply.
- Jurisdiction
- england
Activity assessed
Assess, record and review site-specific flood hazards and controls affecting school buildings, grounds, drainage, roofs, people, equipment, operations and recovery. Record verified existing controls separately from proposed controls; do not assume that any control, inspection, repair or review has been completed.
Assess each hazard and its controls against your site before use. Template ratings require local review.
Hazards and controls
Potential exposure to river, coastal, surface-water or reservoir flooding, where relevant to the school site.
- Existing controls
- Record the site-specific information, assessments, warnings, emergency arrangements and other controls that have been verified. Record the source, date and owner of each item. Do not infer exposure or control status where evidence is unavailable.
- Proposed controls
- Confirm which flood sources are relevant to the site and document the basis for that conclusion. Review flood risks regularly and identify actions proportionate to the recorded exposure, including arrangements for warnings, escalation, evacuation, access restrictions and continuity of school operations where applicable.
Local assessment and additional controls
Blocked, defective or inadequately maintained drainage systems causing localised flooding, water ingress, contamination or disruption.
- Existing controls
- Record verified drainage assets, inspection and maintenance arrangements, previous defects, completed clearances and responsible persons or contractors. Record any limitations or unavailable information.
- Proposed controls
- Establish and maintain a documented inspection and maintenance programme for relevant drainage systems. Deal promptly with blockages and defects, record findings and actions, and escalate unresolved issues where they may increase flooding, contamination, water-damage or operational risks.
Local assessment and additional controls
Surface-water accumulation or flow affecting buildings, entrances, paths, play areas, access routes or neighbouring areas.
- Existing controls
- Record verified observations, drainage arrangements, barriers, access restrictions, warning arrangements and response procedures. Do not record a site condition as present unless it has been observed or supported by evidence.
- Proposed controls
- Review how surface water may enter, accumulate or flow across the site. Consider controls such as keeping drainage routes clear, managing access during flooding, protecting affected areas and documenting temporary measures and escalation arrangements.
Local assessment and additional controls
Roof ponding, blocked roof drainage or roof defects resulting in water ingress, structural or building-fabric damage, contamination or disruption.
- Existing controls
- Record verified roof inspection arrangements, drainage maintenance, known defects, repairs, access controls and competent persons involved. Record the date and evidence for each completed inspection or repair.
- Proposed controls
- Include roof drainage and ponding in relevant inspection and maintenance arrangements. Deal promptly with identified defects, restrict unsafe access where necessary, protect affected areas and record remedial actions through to closure.
Local assessment and additional controls
Floodwater or water ingress causing contamination, damage to buildings or contents, unsafe conditions or loss of usable space.
- Existing controls
- Record verified arrangements for isolating affected areas, reporting damage, assessing contamination, protecting contents and obtaining specialist advice where required. Identify any gaps in available evidence.
- Proposed controls
- Define response steps for suspected contamination and water damage, including restricting access where appropriate, recording affected areas, arranging assessment and cleaning, protecting or removing vulnerable contents, and confirming conditions before reoccupation.
Local assessment and additional controls
Flooding or water-related defects affecting the safety, movement, supervision or access needs of pupils, staff, visitors or contractors.
- Existing controls
- Record verified arrangements for supervision, communication, access restrictions, alternative routes, assistance and emergency response. Consider relevant individual needs without recording unnecessary personal information.
- Proposed controls
- Review how flooding and water damage could affect people with different access, communication or supervision needs. Define site-specific arrangements for warnings, restricted areas, alternative routes, assisted movement, temporary closure and communication with relevant persons.
Local assessment and additional controls
Flooding or water damage disrupting teaching, welfare, administration, catering, access, utilities or other school operations.
- Existing controls
- Record verified continuity arrangements, alternative accommodation or service arrangements, communication routes, protection of records and processes for reporting operational disruption.
- Proposed controls
- Assess which school activities and services could be disrupted by flooding or water damage. Document proportionate continuity, communication, temporary closure and recovery arrangements, and review them when relevant risks or site conditions change.
Local assessment and additional controls
Flood, drainage or roof defects not being recorded, assigned, prioritised, remedied or checked for completion.
- Existing controls
- Record the verified defect register, responsible persons, contractors, target dates, interim controls, completion evidence and any overdue or unresolved actions.
- Proposed controls
- Use a traceable action record for each identified defect or improvement. Include the issue, location, interim control, responsible owner, proposed action, target date, status, completion evidence and any follow-up verification. Escalate overdue actions according to the school's arrangements.
Local assessment and additional controls
Flood risks, drainage conditions, roof condition or damage not being reviewed after relevant events or at appropriate intervals.
- Existing controls
- Record verified review dates, triggers, findings, action records and evidence of post-storm or post-incident checks. Do not mark a review as complete without recorded evidence.
- Proposed controls
- Set review triggers appropriate to the site, including relevant changes, identified defects, flooding or severe weather events and post-storm conditions. Record checks of drainage, roofs, access routes, affected buildings and operational impacts, then update the risk register and actions.
Local assessment and additional controls