Ofsted chief inspector warns against 'risk-averse' school safety culture
The chief inspector of Ofsted has spoken out against excessive approaches to school safety that create environments in which students are afraid to take risks.
In an article originally published in the Sunday Telegraph, Amanda Spielman said many of the current approaches to health and safety in schools may be "creating an unnecessarily risk-averse culture" that is ultimately harmful to child development.
She cited examples such as the ubiquitous use of hi-vis jackets on school field trips, even when visiting indoor locations, or an instance of a primary school cancelling a sports day due to damp grass.
Ms Spielman warned that this overapplication of safety principles makes it harder for children to learn to cope with everyday levels of risk, and may also contribute to childhood inactivity by dissuading students from taking part in outdoor activities.
To address this, the chief inspector said she will be seeking to focus Ofsted's activities on making sure schools are upholding pupil safety without being excessive, commencing with a new training initiative later this summer.
This will seek to remind inspectors to focus on what schools are doing to identify children potentially at risk of real harm, how these children are being helped, and how they manage accusations and other serious problems with staff.
School leaders, meanwhile, will be empowered to make decisions based on their own judgement and experience, rather than being constricted by overly prescriptive policies.
Ms Spielman said: "Keeping children safe from harm should always be your overriding concern, but in doing so, make sure you distinguish between real and imagined risk.
"Trying to insulate your pupils from every bump, germ or bruise won't just drive you to distraction, it will short-change those pupils as well - limiting their opportunity to fully take advantage of the freedom of childhood, and to explore the world around them."Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Poole
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Poole
Description
Join TP Tutors in Poole and make a real impact supporting students with special educational needs (SEN).Role Overview: Provide 1:1 support to SEN students in Maths, English, and Sciences.Flexible tut
Reference
LV2804LA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
South TuitionAuthor
South TuitionSalary
£83 - 95 per day
Location free text
Sheffield
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Less than £500 per week
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Sheffield
Description
Location: Sheffield, Doncaster and Barnsley, UK Position: Primary Teaching Assistant Type: Full-time, Temporary Experience: Entry Level Pay Rate: £83 - £95 per dayAre you passionate about nurturing y
Reference
JH2642
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
£30,000 - 46,525 per year + CPD Training
Location free text
Middlesbrough
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£50,000 - £59,999
Sector
Teacher
Location
Middlesbrough
Description
Are you a talented and enthusiastic Health and Social Care Teacher? Are you interested in teaching your subject within a diverse 11-18 secondary school?Teaching Personnel are currently working with a
Reference
MMCA3431325
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£30,000 - 46,525 per year + CPD Training
Location free text
Darlington
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Maths
Location
Darlington
Description
Teaching personnel are working with an Ofsted rated ‘Good’ school in Darlington who are recruiting an accomplished Maths teacher to join their department. If you are experienced and passionate about y
Reference
MMCA21188943
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£120 - 160 per day
Location free text
Sheffield
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
KS2 - Year 6
Location
Sheffield
Description
Role: KS2 TeacherSalary: £120-160Area: Sheffield/BarnsleyAre you a newly qualified teacher or highly passionate and enthusiastic about teaching? Do you have a keen interest in making a positive impact
Reference
sc5556
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
£120 - 160 per day
Location free text
Sheffield
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£500 - £749 per week
Sector
Teacher
Location
Sheffield
Description
Role: TeacherContract: Temp to Perm, FulltimeSalary: MPS/ UPS (dependent on experience with potential TLR)Area: S35Are you a newly qualified teacher, who is looking to gain more experience to kickstar
Reference
JH2641
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
£84 - 95 per day
Location free text
Cramlington
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Northumberland
Description
Job Opportunity: Teaching Assistant Position in CramlingtonAre you passionate about supporting students in their learning journey? We are currently seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant to join our t
Reference
SS32KT
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees PrimaryAuthor
Tyne Tees PrimarySalary
£30,000 - 46,525 per year + CPD Training
Location free text
Darlington
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Maths
Location
Darlington
Description
Teaching personnel are working with an Ofsted rated ‘Good’ school in Darlington who are recruiting an accomplished Maths teacher to join their department. If you are experienced and passionate about y
Reference
MMCA2118895
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£400 - 500 per week + CPD
Location free text
Middlesbrough
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Middlesbrough
Description
Psychology Graduate Teaching Assistant - MiddlesbroughAre you a Psychology graduate looking for a work in education across Middlesbrough and the surrounding areas? At Teaching Personnel, we are workin
Reference
P545788867
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£120 - 160 per day
Location free text
Doncaster
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£500 - £749 per week
Sector
Teacher
Location
Doncaster
Description
An exciting opportunity to work across 'Good' and ‘Outstanding’ schools located in Doncaster has become available. Teaching Personnel are seeking to appoint enthusiastic, flexible and motivated Classr
Reference
AH2642
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthRelated posts
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
The teacher recruitment crisis is a priority for school leaders across the country. In the 2021–22 academic year, 4000 teachers retired, and 9% of the teaching workforce resigned, marking the highes
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
Planning for the Easter break? The Teaching Personnel payroll team wants to make sure you get paid on time. This table outlines the Easter 2024 payroll date, along with the corresponding deadline
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
Supply TeachingContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Table of Contents 1. Why do people become supply teachers? 2. What does it take to become a supply teacher? 3. How can I find work as a supply teacher? <!-- b--> 4. How shou
by
Alex Schulte
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision in schools is a critical aspect of education that demands attention in 2024. According to the Department for Education, over 1.5 million pupils in England
Teaser
Multi-Academy TrustsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Laura Williams is an education leadership coach with fifteen years of leadership experience in education across business, operations, HR, finance and governance. She is a former Business Manager, CO
by
Scott Owen
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Creating a safe and nurturing environment for pupils is paramount in the age of evolving social dynamics. One issue that has gained significant attention in recent years is the distinction between
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson addressed the Labour Party conference in October, where she announced plans to reform primary maths. Currently, one in four children leave primary school
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
Mock exams are a crucial milestone in a pupil's academic journey, serving as a practice run for the real deal. As educators, you play a pivotal role in helping pupils navigate through these trial ex
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
In the fast-moving world of education, headteachers and schools face the challenge of ensuring a continuous and reliable supply of qualified teachers. Unforeseen teacher absences due to staff sickness
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Embarking on the journey to become an educator is both exhilarating and demanding. The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is crucial to achieving your teaching ambitions. The road ahead
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job