Education & Schools Sector Courses

Who is responsible for first aid in schools? 

In schools, employers are responsible for the pupils, visitors (including contractors) and all staff, including the head teachers, teachers and non-teaching staff.

Depending on the type of school, who the employer is will be different:

• For controlled, county and special arrangement schools the Local Education Authority (LEA) is the employer. This also includes pupil referral units.
• For independent schools, the employer is the owner of the trustees.
• For city technology colleges, voluntary-aided and non-maintained special schools the governing body is the employer. This is also the case for grant-maintained and grant-maintained special schools.

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA), the employer is responsible for ensuring a health and safety policy is put in place at schools, including the arrangements both on and off site, the number of first aiders and the location of first aid boxes.

What is the minimum provision of first aid for schools? 

• A suitably stocked first aid box.
• An appointed person to take charge of first-aid arrangements.
• Information on arrangements for employees.

Alongside the minimum provisions for schools, a risk assessment must be completed. This should determine any additional provision.

How many school staff should be first aid trained? 

A full risk assessment will determine the number required. The school should ensure that the training is delivered in line with the needs of the school environment and fully allows for staff absence and full coverage of the school site.

In general, only one first aider is needed where there are fewer than 50 employees. Though one is needed for every 100 employees if you have over 50 employees.

Does the training provider need to be approved by the local authority?

No, it is down to the “employer” to make the necessary checks on the training provider they choose to work with.

Training providers need to prove that they are competent to deliver the training. Demonstration of competence includes current registration as a nurse, paramedic or doctor, and knowledge from a training qualification (such as FAW or EFAW).

Full guidance to support employers in this process is available on the HSEwebsite http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/geis3.pdf

Do schools need to cover first aid training for babies?

Where schools have children of an age that fall under the EYFS guidance at least one person with a Paediatric Course certificate is required to be on the premises or available at all times where children are present.

This should be supplemented with a full needs risk assessment. For contingency, it may be that several staff are best to undertake this level of training. 

How long are certificates valid for?

First aid certificates are only valid for three years. It is therefore the employer's responsibility to ensure that all relevant personnel are up to date with their training via refresher courses.

What other training courses are available?

As well as first aid training courses for school staff, we can also deliver training courses at your education or school setting on a date to suit you in the following areas: 

• Health and Safety Courses: including control of major accident hazards.
• Fire Training and Consultancy: including fire safety training and fire marshal.

First Aid Courses

• 1 Day Emergency First Aid at Work Course for Schools
• 3 Day First Aid at Work Course
• 2 Day First Aid at Work Requalification Course
• Automated External Defibrillation
• Basic Life Support Course

Food Safety Courses

• Level 1 Award in Food Safety
• Level 2 Award in Food Safety
• Level 3 Award in Food Safety Catering
• Level 2 Award in Principles of HACCP

Health & Safety Courses

• Fire Safety Training
• Fire Marshal Training
• Principles of Manual Handling Course
• IOSH Managing Safely Training Course
• NEBOSH National General Certificate

Aid Training can also train you to become a trainer, here are a few of the courses available. The full range can be found here.

• Adult and Paediatric First Aid Instructor 
• OCN Level 3 Fire Marshal/Warden Instructor
• OCN Level 3 Safe Manual Handling Techniques Instructor
• Level 3 Award in Education and Training EAT
• Online Level 3 Award in Education and Training
• Level 3 Assessors Award/Certificate

Why choose Aid Training & Operations?

Our office team fully understand the training needs of those working in the education sector and run all of our course titles in line with the guidance from the Department of Education (DFE) and Ofsted.

Whether delivering on a Local Authority contract or dealing directly with a school or nursery, our Instructors aim to deliver learning in a down to earth fashion to encourage confidence in all those we train.

We have national coverage which has seen us help a range of educational institutions and schools, including Buckinghamshire New University, The Royal College of Art and Woldingham School.