School policy about safety.

Safety policy

Every school must have a safety policy. This policy explains how the school manages safety. It covers the rules everyone must follow at school, the registration of incidents, agreements on following the safety policy and any penalties. The school also describes how it wants to prevent aggression, violence, bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment. It also covers the training staff get about safety. The policy sets clear goals to improve school safety. It also states who is responsible for safety. The safety requirements are described in the Arbocatalogus VO and the Arbocatalogus PO.

School safety plan

Schools must write a plan based on the safety policy. This plan is also called the plan for safety, health and environment. Parents must get information about the safety policy. At least, the school guide has information about the safety plan. The plan says for example:

• How supervision at school and during school activities is arranged.
• Where to go if your child feels unsafe.
• The rules for students and the punishments if they break them.
• How the school deals with bullying and the duty of care for social safety.

School participation council

The school writes the school safety plan together with the school participation council. The school participation council must give agreement for the plan. Schools and school participation council members can get help from Stichting School & Veiligheid. Schools can use a free digital tool to make and check the safety policy.

Supervision by education inspectorate

The education inspectorate supervises schools. School safety is part of the supervision. Inspectors check for example:

• Is there insight into the type and number of incidents?
• Is there insight into how staff and students feel about safety?
• Does the school have a preventive and reactive safety policy?