Supervision Policy

Introduction

This policy was originally formulated in February 2012. It applies to all staff and children during school hours, break times, and on all school related activities.

Rationale

The rules for National Schools 121(4) and 124(1) obliges teachers to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of pupils and to participate in supervising pupils during school time and during all school related activities.

Legislation such as the Health Safety and Welfare at Work Act and recent Court judgments have placed a “duty of care” and accountability on schools that must be underpinned by a policy covering all possible eventualities.

Relationship to the Characteristic Ethos of the School

This policy is in keeping with the school ethos of providing a safe and secure environment for learning for all pupils and the wider school community.

Aims and Objectives

To develop a framework that effectively ensures, as far as is practicable, the safety of children while at play on the yard or while engaged in school related activities
To observe and monitor behavioural patterns outside the confines of the classroom
To contribute to effective school management and comply with relevant legislation.

School Procedures

It is the policy of the school to supervise the school yard at all times during regular lunch breaks i.e. 11.00am to 11.10am, 12.30pm to 1.00pm. Teachers assume a duty of care at 9.20am. The Board of Management informs parents that the school does not accept responsibility for pupils dropped off earlier than this.
A Rota for supervision is drawn up by the staff.
Rules of the school yard are reviewed and revised continually and communicated to children regularly.
If parents indicate a worry about a particular child on the yard all teachers rostered for yard duty are informed of the concern so that the particular concerns can be addressed satisfactorily.
Children with injuries/complaints are dealt with directly by the teacher on yard duty. Children are not permitted to report directly to the staff room if there is an incident on the yard.
First Aid boxes and Accident Report books are kept as a matter of procedure
If children remain uncollected after 3.00pm, the school always ensures that a duty of care is provided until a parent/guardian calls.

Special Provisions

Out of school activities such as games, swimming, tours, back up provisions are put in place to ensure adequate levels of supervision are put in place. The level of supervision is a usually one adult per class with individual teachers in charge of specific groups
If a teacher is called from his/her classroom to meet with a parent, another member of staff may help supervise. However, it is school policy to request parents to make appointments
On wet days children remain inside under the normal supervision Rota. Children from senior classes assist the class teachers when necessary.
When visiting teachers such as P.E., Music, Language, take over a class, the school encourages teachers to maintain a presence.
Parents may request that their children be allowed leave during the school day due to health commitments etc. The pupil is the responsibility of the parent for the duration of the out of school activity. Parents should sign the record book when taking a child from school early.

Success Criteria and Review

Ensuring a safe child-friendly school yard
Providing well organised and safe out of school activities
Re-enforcing school rules regularly
Reviewing supervision duties when necessary
Altering or adjusting procedures deemed to be inoperable

Implementation

This policy has been in operation since 17/4/12 when it was ratified by the Board of Management.

It was reviewed in 2016 and 2019. It will be reviewed again in 2022 and 2025, or as deemed necessary by the BOM. .

References

Primary Education Management Manual – Thompson Roundhall
Insurance, Safety and Security in the school – Church & General

Ratification

This policy was ratified by the B.O.M on 17/4/12