Leading water safety charity and water safety expertise’s the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) are appealing to all independent schools to take their responsibilities regarding water-related activities seriously to prevent future accidents and incidents.  

Where a school has water on or around its grounds accessible to students, visitors, staff, or the public, as a privately or charitably funded school (not administered by the local government), it has water-related safety responsibilities and may be liable. This, accompanied by the fact that independent schools often offer water-based extra curriculum onsite and offsite activities, means that recognising accountabilities for managing water-related safety needs to be a priority.

To recognise and acknowledge their accountability, as a minimum, schools need to regularly carry out safety reviews which include the provision of Public Rescue Equipment (PRE), create and review Pool Safety Operating Procedures (PSOP), compile appropriate risk assessments, regularly evaluate the training capabilities, requirements and training for staff responsible and provide suitable water safety education to the children within their care.

RLSS UK can support schools to achieve all this and help educate staff, pupils and visitors by offering impartial and practical water safety consultancy advice, bespoke training solutions and a range of products carefully selected and vetted by water safety experts for their safety and durability.

To find out more, contact [email protected], call 0300 323 0096 or email www.rlss.org.uk/schools-consultancy-service.