Kingswood has an outstanding record for the safety and security of pupils and teachers who have stayed at its centres. Now in our third decade of working with schools, we welcome some 130,000 students each year and it is essential that our centres operate under strict policies and procedures.

Kingswood Policy
The Kingswood policy has been written to secure compliance with the requirements of both legislation and our general duty of care towards members of the public and our employees. In particular, regard has been made to The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the regulations issued under it. Account has also been taken of industry guidance and codes of practice where these are available. This policy is available for inspection by all visiting teachers on arrival at any of our centres, together with copies of our staff’s training and qualifications.

Risk Assessments
At Kingswood, we believe Risk Assessments are the building blocks for Safety Management Systems. Our activities are all covered by Risk Assessments that have been carried out by our own Health & Safety Team and by external consultants. Kingswood operates strict codes of practice for the delivery of all activities. As part of these codes, our activities all have a site-specific assessment that is reviewed and updated on a regular basis.

The Kingswood Risk Assessments
fulfil the key requirements of A.A.L.A (Adventure Activities Licensing Authority) for our Isle of Wight centre, B.A.H.A (British Activity Holiday Association) & are subject to inspection by the relevant National Governing Bodies.

Kingswood are registered members of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) & all staff are trained in food hygiene, and health & safety by our accredited trainers.

Our comprehensive site-specific Risk Assessments for each of our activities can be viewed online or downloaded from our website www.kingswood.co.uk

Internal Audit System
In addition to receiving independent inspections from the British Activity Holiday Association (BAHA) and the Health & Safety Inspectorate, Kingswood conducts its own rigorous internal health and safety audits through staff who have achieved nationally recognised qualifications. This includes a comprehensive checklist report detailing safety performance in every area of operation.

While at Kingswood, students are placed into groups of no more than 15 at any time and are accompanied by Instructors and Group Leaders at all times. Our Instructors begin every activity session with a safety talk and all equipment is checked at the beginning of every session. Our safety equipment is continuously maintained and is updated on a regular basis in line with HSE guideline BS EN 340:1993.

On-Site Security Measures
We have put in place rigorous child protection procedures and our centres fully comply with the provisions of the 1989 Children Act that imposes strict regulations for staff to child ratios, staff qualifications and types of equipment. Every member of staff at a Kingswood centre, including management, office, maintenance, catering and house-keeping personnel has been police checked and cleared by the Criminal Records Bureau. Kingswood campuses have secure and clearly defined borders which enable us to maintain the highest safety standards at all times. Depending on our site assessment, additional security measures have been installed at some of our centres, including security lighting, barriers, night patrols and CCTV. All Kingswood staff wear easily recognisable uniforms and an identification badge. Visiting teachers & party leaders are also required to wear a Kingswood identification badge at all times.

Pastoral Care
Accommodation is in clean, warm, comfortable dormitories, which sleep between 2 and 10 students, within easy walking distance of the main activity areas. Dormitories are simply furnished, with hanging space and under bed storage facilities. Sheets, duvets and pillows are provided. There are shower and bathroom facilities close to each dormitory. A Duty Manager and First-Aider are on call 24 hours a day. Boys and girls sleep on separate floors with separate shower and toilet facilities.

Working to DfES Guidelines
In recent years, school trips have been the subject of intense scrutiny and, as a result, the DfES and the Health & Safety Commission have issued strict guidelines for the planning of educational visits.
In accordance with this, Kingswood is a member of the British Activity Holiday Association (BAHA) and registered, where relevant, with the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) for the Isle of Wight.

Off-Site Safety
Off-site fieldwork excursions are supervised to the same standards as on-site activities and they are closely monitored & subjected to regular Risk Assessments which can be downloaded from our website at www.kingswood.co.uk. The work completed on these field trips is of a scientific and educational nature and is strictly controlled in locations that are well known and regularly used by Kingswood staff. Instructors conducting off-site sessions always carry with them a full safety pack containing first-aid kit, location maps, bivvy bags, extra clothes, throw lines and drinking water. A mobile phone is also included to enable the instructor to contact the Centre or emergency services in the unlikely event of an incident occurring. Each site visited has had a comprehensive Risk Assessment completed which is available for you to view.

"The health, safety and welfare of all those involved in educational visits is paramount, and as an LEA we have been delighted by the way the kingswood centres are working with us to ensure this." - Martin Radmore, Norfolk LEA EVC