Supervision of Pupils Policy

1. Introduction

The purpose of this policy is to provide clear guidance to staff on the appropriate supervision of pupils throughout the school day to ensure their safety, welfare and security.

Supervision arrangements for educational visits are detailed in the Educational Visits Policy. Both policies must be reviewed and understood by staff annually at the start of the academic year, with appropriate training provided.

2. Site Safety and Duty of Care

The security of the school site and buildings is fundamental to pupil safety. Access points and boundaries are controlled and monitored appropriately, with CCTV and staffed reception points in place.

All areas of the school premises that pupils may access are subject to risk assessment and clearly defined out-of-bounds zones where appropriate.

3. Supervision and Staffing Ratios – EYFS and KS1

3.1 Nursery and Pre-Nursery (EYFS)

Supervision and staffing ratios for pupils in nursery or early years settings follow the EYFS statutory framework:

• Provision for children aged two is fully compliant with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
• Children aged two are always within sight and hearing of a member of staff.
• The staff-to-child ratio does not exceed 1:5 at any time.
• At least one member of staff working directly with the children must hold a full and relevant Level 3 qualification, and at least half of all other staff must hold a full and relevant Level 2 qualification.
• The remaining staff members must have experience of working with children aged two.
• These ratios apply at all times the children are in the school's care, including during indoor and outdoor play, meal times, transitions, and in the event of inclement weather.

For children aged three and over in registered early years provision, at least one member of staff must be present for every 13 children when a person with Qualified Teacher Status or equivalent is directly working with them. At least one other staff member must hold a full and relevant Level 3 qualification.

For children whose supervision remains subject to EYFS but who do not have a qualified teacher directly working with them, ratios and qualifications are determined according to the EYFS framework and risk assessments.

Where children under EYFS provision mix with older pupils, ratios are determined by relevant statutory guidance and professional risk assessment.

3.2 Reception

Reception classes are governed by infant class size regulations requiring no more than 30 pupils per qualified teacher in ordinary teaching sessions.

For all pupils within Reception and above, including break and transition periods, supervision levels are determined through risk assessment and professional judgement to ensure duty of care is met.

4. Supervision Before the School Day

Parents are informed of start times. Gates open at 7:30am and the bell rings at 7:50am. Pupils must not arrive before supervision begins. Supervision commences at the published time each morning, and staff are deployed to supervise pupils on arrival until formal registration. Parents remain responsible for children on school grounds outside supervised hours.

Pupils in EYFS must remain supervised by an adult until 7:50am. Pupils in Year 1 and above may be dropped off from 7:30am.

5. Supervision During the School Day

5.1 Registration

Teachers are responsible for registering pupils at the start of the day and in the afternoon. Pupils arriving late must sign in at the School Office.

5.2 Lessons and Teaching Time

Pupils are under direct teacher supervision during lessons. At times when pupils undertake independent tasks (e.g. library visits, individual lessons), staff must ensure adequate supervision is maintained through appropriate oversight or risk assessment.

5.3 Transitions and Movement

Pupils must be supervised, up to Key Stage 3, when moving around the school. Duty arrangements must ensure that no pupil is unsupervised in circulation areas or near potential hazards.

6. Supervision During Breaks and Lunchtime

Break and lunchtime supervision levels are determined through risk assessment, ensuring duty of care and pupil safety. EYFS ratios continue to apply for pupils still in early years provision during these periods.

Staff must be visible and actively supervising all pupils at break times (as per the rota). Pupils not in EYFS are supervised in designated areas by appropriately deployed staff.

7. School Lunch

Staff are responsible for pupils' safety and behaviour in the dining environment (as per the rota). Ratios and deployment should consider pupil numbers and needs and ensure safety at all times.

8. Off-Site Activities and Sports Fixtures

All off-site activities, including sports fixtures, require a risk assessment that sets out appropriate staffing levels. Supervising staff must always be clear about their responsibilities for pupils' safety during travel and the activity.

9. Inclement Weather

Decisions about outdoor play in adverse weather are made by senior leaders based on safety considerations. Pupils remain under supervision in suitable indoor spaces if weather conditions make outdoor play unsafe.

10. End of School Day

Pupils are handed over to parents or authorised carers at the end of the school day. Written consent is required for alternative collection arrangements.

11. Co-curricular Activities

Supervision for co-curricular activities is established through risk assessment and activity planning, with pupils handed over to parents at the end of each session.

12. Uncollected Children

A member of SLT is on duty every afternoon from 4pm. Uncollected pupils are taken to the front reception area and supervised until collected, and the Uncollected Children Policy procedures are followed.

13. Supervision on School Trips

For full details of supervision requirements off site, including ratios and risk assessment, refer to the Educational Visits Policy.

14. Lost Child Procedure

Procedures to be followed in the event of a lost child are detailed in the Lost Child Policy.