The EVC Magazine Spring 2025 - Flipbook - Page 31
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Sports safety: it’s a goal!
Advice from the
Association for Physical
Education on safety for
school sports and PE
sessions
Prioritising
health & safety
Headteachers and leadership
teams are responsible for
making sure that health
and safety policies related
to PE and school sport are
followed, reviewed regularly
and communicated to staff,
students and parents. Annual
policy reviews and risk
assessments are crucial for
compliance and safety.
Where students take part in
activities outside the school
day and/or off-site – such
as playing against another
school, a county competition
or an international sports
tour – considerations such as
parental consent, travel and
supervision should be included
in your planning and risk
management, and be in line
with school policies.
CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT
Schools must ensure that their equipment is
inspected and maintained annually, ideally within
a structured contract outlining scope, hazards and
maintenance needs. Regular upkeep not only prolongs
equipment life, but also ensures compliance with safety
standards. This also applies to equipment you’re taking
off-site, although providers and venues are responsible
for ensuring their own equipment is up to standard.
Guidance &
resources
The Association for Physical
Education (afPE) publishes
guidance on Safe Practice in
Physical Education, School
Sport and Physical Activity.
This essential resource
includes updated legal
guidance and best practices
to help safeguard students
and staff participating
in curricular and
extracurricular activities,
and includes a section on
sports fixtures, festivals,
tours and club links.
afPE provides resources, guidance and professional support to
ensure PE remains central to school life. For more information,
go to →www.afpe.org.uk/page/Safe_Practice_in_PESSPA
SAFETY CHECKLIST
n Does your school have a copy of Safe Practice in Physical
Education, School Sport and Physical Activity 2024?
n Are your policies reviewed regularly and communicated
appropriately?
n Is equipment inspected annually?
n Are unsafe items removed from use?
n How do you ensure safety and safeguarding
in extracurricular sport or off-site activities?
THE EVC MAGAZINE – SPRING 2025
For more guidance
n See also OEAP National
Guidance →oeapng.info/
search (search ‘Sport’)
n Department for Education
guidance on PE and sports
in schools →www.gov.uk/
government/publications/
pe-and-sports-in-schools
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