CalmComplianceRisk Assessment template
School Premises Safety and Access Risk Assessment
- Version
- v1
- Updated
- 1 October 2026
- Audience
- Maintained and academy primary and secondary schools in England, including school leaders, estates and facilities teams, responsible bodies, premises managers and others who assess or manage premises risks.
- Jurisdiction
- england
Activity assessed
Use and management of school buildings, external areas, plant, workplace fabric, access routes and associated systems of work by pupils, staff, visitors and contractors. Include only hazards and controls relevant to the actual premises and responsibilities of the organisation.
Assess each hazard and its controls against your site before use. Template ratings require local review.
Hazards and controls
Defective, damaged, deteriorating or otherwise unsafe buildings, rooms, fixtures, fittings or workplace fabric, including risks arising from the condition of premises under the organisation's control.
- Existing controls
- No existing controls are assumed by this reusable register. Record verified inspection, defect-reporting, maintenance, repair, isolation and escalation arrangements currently in place.
- Proposed controls
- Inspect relevant buildings, rooms, fixtures, fittings and workplace fabric at a defined frequency and after reported defects or significant changes. Record defects, responsible persons, target dates and completion evidence. Restrict access, isolate defective areas or equipment, and provide temporary measures where a defect presents an immediate risk. Confirm which organisation or contractor is responsible where premises control or maintenance responsibilities are shared.
Local assessment and additional controls
Unsafe, obstructed, poorly maintained or unsuitable routes for ordinary movement, emergency access, evacuation, deliveries or access by people with mobility or other access needs.
- Existing controls
- No existing controls are assumed by this reusable register. Record verified route inspections, housekeeping arrangements, accessibility measures, emergency arrangements and controls for shared or restricted access.
- Proposed controls
- Identify and inspect principal, alternative, emergency and service routes. Keep routes reasonably clear, stable, adequately lit and suitable for intended users and activities. Control temporary obstructions and deliveries. Provide suitable arrangements where route conditions, access needs or building layout require additional assistance. Review routes after building works, changes in occupancy, severe weather or changes to use.
Local assessment and additional controls
Slips, trips or falls caused by floor surfaces, changes in level, trailing cables, spillages, poor housekeeping, weather, temporary works or unsuitable storage.
- Existing controls
- No existing controls are assumed by this reusable register. Record verified cleaning, housekeeping, inspection, spill response, storage and temporary hazard controls.
- Proposed controls
- Inspect internal and external walking surfaces and record defects or recurring causes. Remove or control spillages promptly, manage cables and temporary equipment, maintain suitable storage and mark or restrict areas where hazards cannot be removed immediately. Consider weather-related controls for rain, ice, snow, mud and leaf fall where relevant. Escalate defects requiring repair and verify closure.
Local assessment and additional controls
Falls on stairs, ramps, steps, balconies, platforms or other changes in level, including risks from damaged surfaces, inadequate guarding, unsuitable handrails or inappropriate use.
- Existing controls
- No existing controls are assumed by this reusable register. Record verified condition checks, guarding, handrails, lighting, access restrictions, supervision and arrangements for higher-risk users.
- Proposed controls
- Inspect stairs, ramps, steps, platforms, balconies and guarding for damage, instability, obstruction and suitability for intended use. Maintain handrails, edge protection, lighting and slip-resistant surfaces as appropriate. Restrict unsafe areas pending repair. Provide supervision, alternative routes or other arrangements where the users, activity or condition of the area creates additional risk.
Local assessment and additional controls
Injury, trapping, unauthorised access or impact involving doors, gates, windows, shutters, barriers, glazing or associated mechanisms.
- Existing controls
- No existing controls are assumed by this reusable register. Record verified inspections, maintenance, access-control arrangements, guarding, signage and restrictions currently in place.
- Proposed controls
- Inspect doors, gates, windows, shutters, glazing, hinges, closers, catches, guards and access-control devices. Repair or isolate defects and control areas where opening, closing, trapping, impact, breakage or unauthorised access could cause harm. Keep escape and access arrangements consistent with the relevant emergency arrangements. Apply additional controls where children, vulnerable users, deliveries or contractors use the area.
Local assessment and additional controls
Injury from school plant, machinery, tools or associated systems of work, including unexpected movement, entanglement, crushing, cutting, burns, noise, ejection or contact with hazardous energy.
- Existing controls
- No existing controls are assumed by this reusable register. Record identified plant, competent-user arrangements, manufacturer information, inspection and maintenance records, guarding, isolation and supervision currently in place.
- Proposed controls
- Identify relevant plant and associated systems of work. Use suitable equipment for the task and restrict operation, adjustment, cleaning, maintenance or isolation to people who are authorised and suitably competent for those activities. Maintain guarding and safety devices, follow manufacturer information where available, control access, isolate defective equipment and retain inspection, maintenance and defect records. Provide information, instruction, training and supervision proportionate to the work and users.
Local assessment and additional controls
Exposure to electrical, gas, water, heating, ventilation or other utility-related hazards, including leaks, contact with energy sources, hot surfaces, poor ventilation, loss of service or uncontrolled isolation.
- Existing controls
- No existing controls are assumed by this reusable register. Record verified utility identification, inspection, maintenance, isolation, access restriction, emergency response and contractor arrangements.
- Proposed controls
- Identify relevant utility systems, isolation points and responsible persons or contractors. Maintain systems and controls in accordance with applicable requirements and competent advice. Restrict access to service areas and controls where necessary. Establish arrangements for reporting leaks, loss of service, unusual smells, overheating, exposed components or other defects; isolate or evacuate affected areas where appropriate and obtain competent assistance.
Local assessment and additional controls
Premises conditions or use that could impede emergency response, evacuation, access for emergency services or safe assembly, including blocked routes, inaccessible doors, unsafe storage or changes to layout.
- Existing controls
- No existing controls are assumed by this reusable register. Record verified emergency arrangements, inspections, access controls, housekeeping, assembly arrangements and responsibilities.
- Proposed controls
- Review emergency routes, exits, access points, assembly areas and emergency-service access in relation to actual premises use. Keep relevant routes and access points available and promptly address obstructions or defects. Control storage, temporary works, vehicles and deliveries that could interfere with emergency access or evacuation. Review arrangements after building, occupancy, layout or activity changes and coordinate with relevant emergency and responsible-person arrangements.
Local assessment and additional controls
Injury in playgrounds, yards, sports areas, car parks, paths, gardens, roofs, service yards or other external areas from surfaces, structures, vehicles, vegetation, weather or incompatible activities.
- Existing controls
- No existing controls are assumed by this reusable register. Record verified external-area inspections, zoning, access restrictions, supervision, maintenance, weather arrangements and controls for vehicles or contractors.
- Proposed controls
- Identify external areas and their intended uses. Inspect surfaces, boundaries, gates, structures, lighting, drainage, vegetation, furniture, play or sports equipment and vehicle interfaces as relevant. Separate pedestrians from vehicles where practicable, control access to service or restricted areas, and suspend or modify activities where weather or conditions make them unsuitable. Record defects and prevent use until repaired or otherwise made safe.
Local assessment and additional controls
Collision, crushing or other injury arising from vehicles, deliveries, loading, unloading, parking, reversing or movement of contractors and service vehicles on or near school premises.
- Existing controls
- No existing controls are assumed by this reusable register. Record verified vehicle routes, segregation, delivery times, supervision, communication, contractor controls and parking arrangements.
- Proposed controls
- Map actual vehicle and pedestrian interfaces for the premises and identify higher-risk delivery or servicing activities. Where practicable, separate vehicles and pedestrians, control reversing and loading activities, manage delivery timing and access, and communicate site restrictions to drivers and contractors. Provide supervision or other controls where the layout, activity, user group or visibility requires them. Review arrangements when routes, contractors, deliveries or site use change.
Local assessment and additional controls
Risk to pupils, staff, visitors or contractors from construction, maintenance, inspection, cleaning, deliveries or other contractor activity, including work areas, tools, materials, dust, noise, temporary access arrangements or uncontrolled interfaces.
- Existing controls
- No existing controls are assumed by this reusable register. Record verified contractor selection, communication, permits or authorisations, segregation, supervision, handover and completion arrangements.
- Proposed controls
- Define responsibilities between the school, responsible body, premises controller and contractors before work starts. Exchange relevant information about premises, users, hazards and restrictions. Segregate work areas and materials from pupils, staff and visitors; control access, tools, plant and temporary routes; coordinate work timing with school activities; and verify that areas are safe before handover. Apply additional controls where work affects occupied buildings, vulnerable users or emergency routes.
Local assessment and additional controls
Exposure to hazardous substances, contamination, dust, fumes, biological agents, waste, leaks or residues arising from premises, cleaning, maintenance, laboratories, workshops, kitchens, grounds or stored materials.
- Existing controls
- No existing controls are assumed by this reusable register. Record verified substance inventories, storage, access restrictions, information, cleaning, waste, spill response and specialist assessment arrangements.
- Proposed controls
- Identify substances, contamination sources and activities relevant to the premises. Store, label and restrict access to materials appropriately; prevent exposure to pupils and other unauthorised people; control dust, fumes, waste and spills; and arrange competent assessment or specialist advice where the source or risk is uncertain. Keep incompatible activities or materials separated and review controls when substances, processes, rooms or contractors change.
Local assessment and additional controls
Ill health or injury associated with unsuitable temperature, ventilation, lighting, damp, mould, flooding, water systems, air quality or other environmental conditions in buildings or external areas.
- Existing controls
- No existing controls are assumed by this reusable register. Record verified environmental monitoring, maintenance, reporting, cleaning, ventilation, water-system and remedial arrangements.
- Proposed controls
- Identify environmental conditions relevant to each area and intended use. Provide arrangements for reporting and investigating damp, mould, flooding, leaks, poor ventilation, inadequate lighting, excessive heat or cold and other concerns. Restrict or modify use where conditions may cause harm, arrange competent investigation and remedial work, and communicate temporary arrangements to affected users. Review after incidents, building changes, seasonal conditions or changes in occupancy.
Local assessment and additional controls
Risk of harm arising from unauthorised access to buildings, roofs, plant rooms, storage areas, external areas, construction zones or other restricted locations.
- Existing controls
- No existing controls are assumed by this reusable register. Record verified access-control, key or credential management, boundary, visitor, contractor, locking, alarm and supervision arrangements.
- Proposed controls
- Identify areas requiring restricted access and define who may enter and for what purposes. Maintain suitable boundaries, doors, locks, barriers, signage and visitor or contractor arrangements for the actual premises. Secure plant, maintenance, storage and work areas when unattended. Investigate reported access-control failures and review arrangements after incidents, building changes, changes in user groups or changes in responsible persons.
Local assessment and additional controls
Risk increased by the characteristics, needs, behaviour, age, vulnerability, disability, unfamiliarity or activity of pupils, staff, visitors or contractors using the premises.
- Existing controls
- No existing controls are assumed by this reusable register. Record verified user-specific arrangements, supervision, information, instruction, training, communication, accessibility measures and support arrangements.
- Proposed controls
- Identify the user groups and activities actually present in each relevant area. Consider whether additional information, instruction, training, supervision, assistance, restricted access, adjusted routes or other controls are needed. Coordinate premises controls with relevant individual, activity, emergency and safeguarding arrangements without assuming that a generic control is suitable for every user. Review when users, activities, staffing, timetables, accessibility needs or premises change.
Local assessment and additional controls