Risk Assessment: School Visits
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| Activity | Mobile animal handling educational visits to schools, nurseries and colleges |
| Location | Educational settings: classrooms, halls, playgrounds, assembly areas |
| Persons at Risk | Pupils (nursery to sixth form), teaching staff, support staff, POTG staff, animals |
| Assessed by | Ciera O'Rourke (Owner/Lead Practitioner) |
| Review Date | April 2026 (reviewed annually or following incident) |
Risk Rating Matrix
| Likelihood | Severity | Risk Level | Action Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (1) | Low (1) | Low (1-3) | Acceptable risk - monitor |
| Medium (2) | Medium (2) | Medium (4-6) | Control measures required |
| High (3) | High (3) | High (7-9) | Immediate action required |
1. Travel and Arrival at School
Hazard 1.1: Road traffic accident during journey to/from school
Risk Rating: Medium (4) - Likelihood: Low (2) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Vehicle maintained in roadworthy condition with valid MOT, tax and insurance
- Driver holds valid UK driving licence
- Route planned in advance, avoiding school drop-off/pick-up times where possible
- Animals secured in appropriate carriers during transit
- Weather conditions assessed - session postponed in severe weather
Residual Risk: Low (2)
Hazard 1.2: Parking and unloading in busy school car park/entrance
Risk Rating: Medium (4) - Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- School contacted in advance to arrange safe parking/unloading area
- Vehicle parked away from pupil pedestrian routes where possible
- Animals kept in secure carriers until inside school building
- Equipment trolley used to minimize trips between vehicle and venue
- POTG staff wear high-visibility clothing when unloading
- School staff assistance requested if available
Residual Risk: Low (2)
2. Classroom Session Risks
Hazard 2.1: Inadequate supervision ratios leading to uncontrolled behaviour
Risk Rating: Medium (6) - Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Maximum 30 pupils per session for hands-on handling (classroom capacity)
- School staff must remain present at all times - minimum 1 teacher + 1 TA for Reception-Year 2
- School staff responsible for pupil behaviour management (POTG staff focus on animal welfare)
- Pre-session briefing to class teacher about expectations and safety rules
- Pupils with behavioural needs identified in advance - additional adult support arranged by school
- Session paused or ended if behaviour becomes unsafe
Staffing Ratios (school staff):
- Nursery/Reception: 1:8 (1 teacher + 2-3 TAs for class of 30)
- Year 1-2: 1:15 (1 teacher + 1 TA minimum)
- Year 3-6: 1:30 (1 teacher present, TA recommended)
- Secondary: 1:30 (1 teacher present)
Residual Risk: Low (3)
Hazard 2.2: Classroom environment unsuitable or unsafe for animal handling
Risk Rating: Medium (4) - Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Venue inspection on arrival - doors, windows, trip hazards, temperature
- All doors and windows closed before animals introduced
- Designated handling area created (carpet/mat area preferred)
- Pupils seated on floor or at tables - not standing/wandering
- Fire exits identified and kept accessible
- Temperature checked - session postponed if room too hot (>26C) or cold (<16C)
- Interactive whiteboard/projector switched off if too bright for animals
- School's own class pets secured in separate area during session
Residual Risk: Low (2)
Hazard 2.3: Pupil with undisclosed allergy or medical condition
Risk Rating: Medium (6) - Likelihood: Low (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- School provides list of pupils with known allergies/medical conditions before session
- Verbal check with class teacher on arrival: 'Any allergies or medical needs today?'
- Pupils asked to inform staff immediately if they feel unwell during session
- Range of animal types available (fur-free reptiles/amphibians for allergic pupils)
- Pupils with severe allergies can observe from a distance without touching
- School's first aid kit and trained first aider location confirmed
- Asthma inhalers/EpiPens kept accessible as per school policy
- Emergency procedure: stop session, alert school first aider, call 999 if required
Residual Risk: Low (2)
3. Assembly Presentation Risks
Hazard 3.1: Large group of pupils (60-200+) creating noise/chaos
Risk Rating: Medium (6) - Likelihood: High (3) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Assembly presentations are DEMONSTRATION ONLY - no hands-on handling with large groups
- Maximum audience: whole school (300 pupils) if well-supervised by school staff
- School staff maintain pupil behaviour throughout - minimum 1 staff per 30 pupils
- Calm, quiet animals selected for assemblies (tortoise, bearded dragon, rabbit)
- Animals kept in secure carriers until presented, returned immediately after showing
- Barrier/table between animals and audience maintained at all times
- Session stopped if noise level becomes unsafe for animal welfare
- Maximum 3-4 animals shown in assembly (10-15 minutes)
Residual Risk: Low (3)
Hazard 3.2: Pupil rushing forward to touch animals during assembly
Risk Rating: Medium (4) - Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Clear safety rules explained at start: 'Look but don't touch in assemblies'
- Pupils seated at least 2 metres from presentation area
- Staff positioned between audience and animals
- Headteacher/senior staff presence recommended for whole-school assemblies
- Hands-on sessions offered to individual classes after assembly if school books multiple sessions
Residual Risk: Low (2)
4. Playground and Outdoor Session Risks
Hazard 4.1: Weather conditions unsuitable for animal welfare
Risk Rating: Medium (6) - Likelihood: High (3) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Outdoor sessions only conducted in dry, mild weather (15-25C)
- Shaded area required - no direct sun exposure for animals
- Shelter/gazebo requested for weather protection
- Session moved indoors or postponed if weather deteriorates
- Wind speed assessed - session cancelled if too windy (risk of escape)
- Water available for animals throughout outdoor session
Residual Risk: Low (3)
Hazard 4.2: Animal escape in open playground environment
Risk Rating: High (6) - Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Only slow-moving, ground-dwelling animals used outdoors (tortoise, hedgehog, rabbit)
- Fast animals (sugar gliders, birds) NOT taken to outdoor playground sessions
- Secure, enclosed handling pen/run used for outdoor sessions
- Gates to playground confirmed closed before session begins
- Staff positioned to monitor perimeter
- Animals returned to carriers between handling activities
- Head count of all animals before leaving site
Residual Risk: Low (3)
Hazard 4.3: Interaction with school's outdoor environment (ponds, plants, other animals)
Risk Rating: Medium (4) - Likelihood: Medium (2) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Session area selected away from ponds, water features, flower beds
- School informed of any toxic plants to avoid (if known)
- Wild birds/cats/foxes monitored - session moved if animals present
- Grass checked for litter, glass, or hazards before session
- Animals supervised continuously - not left unattended outdoors
Residual Risk: Low (2)
5. Animal Handling Risks (Education Context)
Hazard 5.1: Bites, scratches, or pecks during pupil handling
Risk Rating: Medium (6) - Likelihood: High (3) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- All animals selected for calm temperament and regular handling experience
- Clear handling demonstration given before each animal is passed to pupils
- Pupils instructed: gentle touch, quiet voices, no sudden movements
- Handling towels provided for animals with claws or nervous pupils
- Animals showing stress (rapid breathing, attempts to hide) removed immediately
- Young pupils (Reception/Year 1) given gentler animals (tortoise, hedgehog)
- POTG staff or teacher present within arm's reach during all handling
- First aid kit available on site (POTG carries kit + school's provision)
- Minor injuries treated immediately - school office informed
Residual Risk: Low (3)
Hazard 5.2: Transmission of zoonotic diseases in school environment
Risk Rating: Low (2) - Likelihood: Low (1) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- All animals receive regular veterinary health checks (Mark Rowland MRCVS)
- Unwell animals never brought to schools - daily health monitoring
- Hand sanitiser provided by POTG - mandatory after every animal contact
- Pupils wash hands before lunch/snack following session (school's handwashing facilities)
- No eating, drinking, or face-touching during animal handling
- Reptiles not placed on dining tables or food prep surfaces
- Equipment cleaned between schools (carriers, towels, handling equipment)
Residual Risk: Low (1)
6. Additional Needs and Inclusion
Hazard 6.1: Pupil with SEND becoming distressed or overstimulated
Risk Rating: Low (3) - Likelihood: Low (1) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- School provides information about pupils with SEND in advance (autism, ADHD, sensory needs)
- Ciera O'Rourke holds BSY Level 3 Animal Assisted Therapy (SEN-trained)
- Flexible approach - pupils can observe without touching if preferred
- Pupil's 1:1 support worker remains present throughout session
- Quiet withdrawal space identified with teacher (pupil can leave if overwhelmed)
- Calm, predictable presentation style used
- Sensory overload signs monitored - breaks offered proactively
Residual Risk: Low (1)
Hazard 6.2: Pupil with physical disability unable to access session
Risk Rating: Low (2) - Likelihood: Low (1) x Severity: Medium (2)
Control Measures:
- Wheelchair-accessible venue confirmed with school before session
- Handling baskets/trays available for pupils who can't hold animals on lap
- Handling towels provided to support animals on wheelchairs/specialist chairs
- Animals brought to pupil's level (table height, wheelchair height)
- Sensory interaction supported for pupils with limited mobility (visual, auditory, gentle touch)
Residual Risk: Low (1)
7. Emergency Procedures in Schools
Hazard 7.1: Medical emergency (injury, allergic reaction, existing condition)
Risk Rating: Medium (6) - Likelihood: Low (2) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- School's first aider location and first aid kit confirmed on arrival
- POTG staff holds paediatric first aid certificate and carries first aid kit
- School office telephone number saved for emergencies
- School follows own emergency procedures (POTG defers to school staff for 999 calls)
- Minor injuries reported to class teacher immediately
- Incident recorded in school's accident book and POTG's records
Emergency Response:
- Stop session and secure all animals in carriers
- Alert class teacher and school first aider
- School staff take lead on emergency response
- POTG assists as directed by school
- Complete accident report within 24 hours
Residual Risk: Low (2)
Hazard 7.2: Fire alarm or emergency evacuation during session
Risk Rating: Low (3) - Likelihood: Low (1) x Severity: High (3)
Control Measures:
- Fire exits and evacuation assembly point identified on arrival
- Animals kept in carriers accessible for quick evacuation
- POTG follows school's evacuation procedures
- Priority order: 1) Pupils evacuate, 2) POTG staff evacuate, 3) Animals if safe to do so
- Vehicle location known for quick animal transport if building unsafe
Residual Risk: Low (1)
8. Safeguarding and Child Protection
All POTG staff working in schools hold current DBS certificates:
- Ciera O'Rourke: Enhanced DBS (No. 001959488871)
- Support staff: Basic DBS certificates
Safeguarding Protocols:
- POTG staff never left alone with pupils - school staff present at all times
- Session conducted in open, visible area (classroom, hall, playground)
- No personal contact information exchanged with pupils
- Professional boundaries maintained at all times
- Any safeguarding concerns reported immediately to school's Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Photography consent obtained from school before taking any images
9. Additional Safeguards
Insurance and Licensing
- Public Liability Insurance: 5,000,000 (Policy No. SALSALIA/J356824/0468/25)
- Employers Liability Insurance: 10,000,000
- Animal Activities Licence: No. 014153 (Tandridge District Council)
Staff Qualifications
- Ciera O'Rourke: BSY Level 3 Animal Assisted Therapy
- Ciera O'Rourke: Paediatric First Aid certified
- Ciera O'Rourke: Enhanced DBS Certificate No. 001959488871
Animal Welfare
- Veterinary care: Mark Rowland MRCVS, Trinity Veterinary Centre
- All animals health-checked before school visits
- Maximum session duration: 1 hour per animal
- Rest breaks provided between multiple sessions
Curriculum Links
Sessions can support:
- Science National Curriculum (living things, habitats, life cycles, adaptations)
- PSHE (responsibility, empathy, confidence-building)
- SMSC development (spiritual, moral, social, cultural)
- Ofsted inspection evidence (enrichment, pupil engagement)
10. Review and Monitoring
This risk assessment is reviewed:
- Annually (or sooner if circumstances change)
- Following any incident, near-miss, or complaint
- If new animals are introduced to educational sessions
- If KCSIE (Keeping Children Safe in Education) guidance changes
All incidents reported to:
- School (via accident book and Designated Safeguarding Lead)
- Insurance company (if claim required)
- Tandridge District Council (Animal Activities Licence)
- HSE if reportable under RIDDOR
| Assessed by: | Ciera O'Rourke | Date: | April 2026 |
| Next Review: | April 2027 | Signature: |
Pets on the Green Ltd - Company No. 17111255
4 Redvers Road, Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9HN
