FAQ

Your Questions, Answered

  • We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality service, clear communication, professional expertise, and customer-focused solutions.

  • The employer is ultimately responsible for health and safety in schools and colleges. All those involved in the management of the organisation also have individual responsibilities under health and safety legislation. All individual employees of the organisation also have responsibilities.

    Who is the Employer?

    Community & Voluntary-Controlled Schools

    The Local Authority is the employer in these schools.

    Foundation Schools

    The Governing Body is the employer in these schools.

    Voluntary-Aided Schools

    The Governing Body is the employer in these schools.

    Academies

    The Academy Trust is the employer in these schools.

    Multi-Academy Trusts

    The Academy Trust is the employer in these schools. It may delegate responsibility for health and safety to individual academy governing bodies, but ultimately it is still the employer (in the same way as a local authority is for community schools).

    Independent Schools

    The Governing Body or proprietor is the employer in these schools.

    Colleges

    The Governing Body is the employer in these establishments.

  • At RHQ safety we provide professional services tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. Visit our Services page for a full list of solutions and how we can help.

  • Yes, we offer an initial consultation to discuss your requirements and determine the best solution for your needs.

  • You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.

  • RHQ consultants will cover nationwide schools/nurseries in person and remotely. Any training sessions can be accessed remotely out of hours and weekends too.

    Contact us to discuss your location and service requirements.

  • Simply contact us through our website, email, or phone. We'll guide you through the booking process and schedule a convenient time.

  • We take data privacy seriously and handle all personal information in accordance with applicable data protection laws and regulations.

Safety equipment including a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, safety helmet, earmuffs, safety glasses, fire alarm, fire exit sign, and a fire suppression system.
A man in a suit giving a presentation to a group in a modern office space with several attendees raising their hands.

  • We take data privacy seriously and handle all personal information in accordance with applicable data protection laws and regulations.

  • Schools and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) must comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, ensuring a safe environment for staff, students, and visitors. This includes having a comprehensive health and safety policy in schools, conducting regular risk assessments in schools, and ensuring fire safety in schools meets legal requirements.

  • RHQ advise schools to complete an annual health and safety audit and review risk assessments in schools annually or when something on site changes to identify hazards and ensure compliance. Schools and MATs should also refer to sample risk assessments for schools to ensure best practices and legal standards are met.

    Contact us for further information or book an audit.

  • Governing bodies, headteachers, and premises managers must implement a robust health and safety policy in schools, conduct detailed risk assessments in schools, and provide staff training in areas like ;

    • Fire safety,

    • COSHH in schools

    • First aid

  • Risk assessments are important because of the following:

    • Legal compliance: Employers must carry out a risk assessment to identify potential hazards and take steps to reduce harm as a legal requirement.

    • Employee protection: Risk assessments help to protect your employees and the general public by ensuring sufficient control measures are in place.

    • Reinforcing safety policies: Risk assessments help to reinforce a thorough Health & Safety policy, showing you have the correct control measures.

    • Cost-effective: Risk assessments help to focus the employer on the risks that matter the most. Leading to simple and effective control measures to protect the workforce.

    We can assist you with developing risk assessments for tasks or activities you have in your school.

    We also review your existing suite of risk assessments giving realistic sensible controls to help assist you in reducing the likelihood of a hazard.

    Contact us to have a discussion around your current documents.

    Visit our services page too.

  • If you fail to carry out a risk assessment and an employee is injured, you can be taken to a tribunal. If found guilty, you can be hit with both financial and reputational damages.

    It is always advised to have an up to date risk assessment that is shared with staff members and to be easily accessible.

    Contact us for more information.