Prept at Sanctuary Farm Risk Assessment
Ensuring all risks to staff and students are managed effectively
| Prept @ Sanctuary Farm – School Visit Risk Assessment
At Sanctuary Farm the Health and Safety of our visitors is paramount. We must stress that whilst Sanctuary Farm and Prept provide staff supervision on certain activities, all children remain the responsibility of the Group/Educational Leader and must be supervised at all times. Please make sure that children have appropriate clothing for the day (including wet weather clothes and suitable footwear). Please also ensure the correct ratio of pupil’s to adults/teachers. Please ensure that any particular medical or special needs and appropriately supported during your visit to help keep everyone safe. |
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Responsibilities
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Hazard |
Potential harm |
Risk associated |
Controls in place and required |
| 1. Weather | Low | Slip/trip/fall Heat Exposure Sunburn Wind exposure
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Please ensure that all children have sufficient protection for all types of weather. For inclement weather children must be adequately dressed in a waterproof coat and wellingtons/ sturdy footwear. In hot weather we always advise sunhats and sun cream be worn.
Visitors, teachers & leaders should be aware of the possibility of wet grass and take adequate precautions against slipping and falling. Please stick to paths. Responsible Body – School/group |
| 2. Group supervision | Low | Slip/trip/fall Lost children | The supervision of the children remains the responsibility of the parents, teachers or group leaders during the visit. We advise group leaders to make a preliminary visit to the farm before the group visit to carry out their own risk assessment. Sanctuary Farm requires a minimum ratio of 1 to 15 for visiting schools.
Responsible body – School/group |
| 3. Car parking | Low/medium | Slip/ trip/fall Impact from moving vehicle | The car park may be used by other vehicles. Please ensure that children are closely supervised when they are in the car park. Keep your group together and away from traffic and make sure children are instructed not to run in the car park. We will ensure a member of staff meets groups on educational visits in the car park to park the cars and guide the groups from the car park to their school room. Please ensure drivers follow parking instruction.
Responsible Body – School/group/Sanctuary Farm |
| 4. Chemicals | Low | Inhalation Irritation Corrosion | Chemicals are used on site. All safety precautions are taken to ensure visitors do not come into contact with any chemicals during their visit. Chemicals are stored securely in a locked secure area
Responsible Body – Sanctuary Farm |
| 5. Bees, wasps and insects | Low | Stings | These are natural inhabitants of the countryside. If children are stung seek first aid from a nearby member of visiting staff. Trained first aiders should be provided by the school/group.
Responsible body – school/group |
| 6. Animal feeding | Low | Bites | Feeding animals is only permitted under supervision. Please do not taste the animal feed. Group leaders should ensure that children wash their hands with running water and liquid soap and that they are dried with paper towel after touching the animals, feeding the animals and before eating and drinking. Please DO NOT use gels or wipes instead of washing hands with soap and water. There is a hand washing facilities on site. Any soiled clothes should be washed immediately on your return home. Please ensure there is adequate group supervision.
Responsible Body – school/group |
| 7. Animal contact | High | Infection | There is a small but real risk of infection when visiting a farm. Farm animals may carry a number of infections that can be harmful to people. Group leaders should ensure that everyone in their care wash their hands with liquid soap and running water and dry them with paper towel after touching the animals, before handling food or drink and before exiting the farm. Disinfectant gels are not a substitute for using soap and water. Please remind children not to put their fingers in their mouth after touching or feeding the animals or kiss the animals. Animals are well looked after and in good health.
If you or your children feel unwell after a farm visit contact your GP or call NHS 111. Responsible body – school/group |
| 8. Pregnant ewes and their new-borns | High | Toxoplasmosis Miscarriage in pregnant ladies | Pregnant woman must not have any contact with pregnant ewes and goats, new-born lambs and kids or any birth fluid. Warning signs are in place in risk areas.
Responsible body – school/group |
| 9. Animal Droppings | Low/medium | Infection | Animal areas are cleaned regularly. Visitors should wear appropriate clothing, including footwear. There is adequate handwashing onsite. Groups are supervised.
Responsible body – school/group |
| 10. Fire | High | Burns | In case of fire we will raise the alarm, evacuate the building and call 999. Fire Risk Assessments have been carried out and controls are in place. In case of fire, group leaders should ensure that the children in their care report to assembly points in the car park, by house steps. Group leaders should ensure that a roll call is taken of their group. Smoking is not permitted.
Responsible body – school/group/ Sanctuary Farm |
| 11. Cooking | High | Burns, cuts and scalds | Provide heat-resistant gloves, supervise use of hot equipment, educate participants on safe handling, ensure first aid is available Provide appropriate knife safety training, use safety knives for younger participants, supervise closely, store knives safely.
Responsible body – Prept Maintenance of main cooker equipment – Sanctuary Farm |
| 12. Food preparation | High | Food allergies and intolerances,
Food poisoning due to improper food handling |
Collect dietary information in advance, ensure clear ingredient labeling, avoid cross-contamination, have emergency allergy plan in place.
Follow food hygiene regulations, ensure handwashing, maintain correct food storage temperatures, train staff in food safety Responsible body – Prept |
Risk Assessment contacts
We encourage and enable staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders to raise serious concerns within the charity rather than overlooking a problem. Please report those concerns immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Deputy Safeguarding Lead.
Other contact details:
Charity Commission (www.gov.uk/complain-about-charity)
