The Board of Directors is responsible for the health, safety and welfare of the School community, and is represented on the Health and Safety Committee by Mr Graham Cunning. Jointly chaired by Mrs D Cook and Mr Mr M McLaughlin the Committee will consider and act upon all health and safety matters affecting the School building and fabric, and all persons using the School. The Committee has been particularly focused on implementing a raised awareness of fire safety regulations.
The School has a Child Protection Policy. Mrs Wallace, Senior Depute Rector is the School’s Child Protection Officer and Mrs Marr, the Depute Child Protection Officer. All teaching and support staff have received training on the main issues of child protection, and undergone enhanced disclosure checks.
Confidential Forms
At the start of the session, parents are asked to complete and sign a confidential form, one for each member of the family, giving medical details and emergency contacts, together with general consent for their children to attend School trips which do not involve an overnight stay or a hazardous activity. This form is valid for the current session, and must be updated annually.
Dispensing Medicines & First Aid
The School may dispense paracetamol, where appropriate, provided parents have given permission in the Confidential Form. Staff have also been trained in the use of Epipens. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that the School is provided with an up-to-date Epipen, and to advise of any severe allergic reactions which may affect their son/daughter.
The School will not dispense any other medication except by special arrangement. Appropriate First Aid will be given for minor injuries, such as cuts or bruises. All accidents which happen on the School premises, or in the course of a School-based activity, off site, are recorded in the Accident Book and when legally required are notified to the Health and Safety Executive.
Immunisations
The visiting medical team will administer routine immunisations. Parents will be notified of arrangements and asked to return a consent form.
Water
Pupils may take bottled water into classes. Drinking fountains are also available in the main building and science block.
Gum shields
All pupils playing rugby and hockey must wear a gum shield. We are fortunate to have the services of a parent dentist who has agreed to visit School once in the first week of the new School year. The dentist will take impressions for gum shields and they are supplied to parents at minimum cost. Alternatively, pupils may make their own arrangements to obtain an appropriate gum shield before the start of season.
Injury at Sports Fixtures
The School provides First Aid cover for Saturday morning rugby/hockey. For all home rugby matches there is a duty doctor in attendance.
School Visits
All arrangements for School visits are set out in the Visits Policy. The general consent form, returned at the start of term, is sufficient for most activities which occur during the School day, regardless of location. For trips which involve a more hazardous activity, or which involve one or more nights away, parents must sign an additional consent form, which must include details of any relevant medication or special diet. Teachers must write a risk assessment for each trip which they organise.
Safety on Coaches
Pupils are expected to behave themselves on School coaches. They should always wear seatbelts, remain seated and face forwards when the coach is in motion. Pupils should not tamper with any emergency exits. Pupils should not alight at unscheduled stops or make individual arrangements with the driver about stops.
Mr McDougall will appoint prefects from SIV, SV and VI who are asked to report concerns to him and keep good order and tidiness on their coaches.