The Independent School Standards (Wales) Regulations 2024

PART 3 Welfare, health and safety of pupils

5.  The standards about welfare, health and safety of pupils at the independent school are those contained in this Part.

6.  The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that—

(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the independent school,

(b) a written policy to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils is drawn up and effectively implemented, and

(c) those arrangements and that policy have regard to any relevant guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers.

7.  Where the independent school provides boarding accommodation the standard in this paragraph is met where the proprietor ensures that—

(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of boarders while they are accommodated at the independent school,

(b) a written boarding accommodation policy is drawn up and effectively implemented, and

(c) those arrangements and that policy have regard to the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools or, where applicable, the National Minimum Standards for Residential Special Schools.

8.  The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that—

(a) the welfare of pupils at the independent school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy that includes assessment of activities undertaken outside of the independent school’s premises, and

(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

9.  The standard in this paragraph is met where the proprietor ensures that all staff, supply staff and persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the independent school actively promote the well-being of pupils.

10.  The standard in this paragraph is met where the proprietor ensures that—

(a) all staff, supply staff, volunteers and pupils receive appropriate training in the independent school’s safeguarding policy in accordance with any guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers in relation to safeguarding, and

(b) a written record of that training is maintained.

11.  The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor promotes good behaviour amongst pupils by ensuring that—

(a) a written behaviour policy is drawn up and effectively implemented that—

(i) encourages and rewards good behaviour,

(ii) sets out the sanctions to be adopted in the event of pupil misbehaviour,

(iii) has regard to any relevant guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers, and

(b) a record is kept of the sanctions imposed upon pupils for serious misbehaviour.

12.  The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that bullying at the independent school is prevented so far as reasonably practicable, by the drawing up and implementation of an effective anti-bullying strategy.

13.  The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy that includes consideration of activities outside of the independent school’s premises.

14.  The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(1).

15.  The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that first aid is administered in a timely and competent manner by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written first aid policy.

16.  The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that pupils are properly supervised through the appropriate deployment of independent school staff.

17.  The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that admission and attendance registers are maintained in accordance with regulations made under section 434 of the 1996 Act(2).

18.  The standard in this paragraph is met where the proprietor—

(a) ensures that the policies and strategies required by this Part are reviewed regularly and updated when appropriate, and

(b) maintains a written record of when each policy and strategy has been reviewed and updated.

(1)

S.I. 2005/1541.

(2)

Section 434 was amended by section 140(1) of and paragraph 111 of Schedule 30 to the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (c. 31) and by article 5(1) of and paragraph 7(1) and (3) of Schedule 2 to S.I. 2010/1158. The current regulations are the Education (Pupil Registration) (Wales) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1954) (W. 187) amended by S.I. 2022/758 (W. 164).