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Description of Location
These studies take place primarily in the Computer Room and Observatory Dome on the Centre's field. The Computer Room is located within the original Victorian brick building, accessed through a door from the reception area. There are another 2 doors, one being a fire door and the other leading into the centre’s office. The room has computer benches around the walls with numerous plug sockets for laptops, and a Smart interactive white board on one wall.
The Observatory is located on the Centre's field, about 40 metres from the main building. It is a dome structure with a low door, this being the only entry and exit point. In the centre of the observatory is a large telescope which rotates 360 degrees as required. It stands over 2 metres tall and takes up the bulk of the space inside the observatory, with space to walk around it. Children use a step stool to look through the lens. The roof of the observatory can be unlocked and fully rotates. The observatory stands on a concrete base and has a small step in the doorway.
Additional classroom space may be used in other parts of the centre’s site where required, which all have a main entry door and a fire exit door.
Although the centre is adequately supplied with outdoor lights these will be switched off to facilitate the use of the telescopes.
Likely Hazards
• As some of the activities may take place in darkness there is the possibility of collision by children moving around the site. This may include each other, objects on the field between the main building and the observatory, and objects inside the observatory.
• The low door into and out of the observatory.
• Step up onto concrete base and through the doorway into the observatory.
• Protruding objects inside the observatory.
• Standing on the step stool in the observatory.
• Size of group accessing the observatory at any one time.
• Possibility of trapped fingers in the moving roof of the observatory.
• Wet or muddy conditions underfoot moving between the buildings and the observatory.
• Objects located on the field as support material for the activities.
• Hazards associated with working at computers.
Existing Precautions
• Children will be informed of the hazards of moving around in the dark.
• The area between the classroom and the observatory will be cleared of any possible hazardous objects.
• Children will be informed of the hazards of moving around on wet and muddy ground.
• Children will be moved around the site between the main building and the observatory in small groups under adult supervision.
• As groups are moving around the site in the dark children will be required to walk and not run.
• Children will be informed about the 2 steps up into the observatory.
• When approaching the observatory children will be reminded of the 2 entry steps by accompanying adults.
• Accompanying adults will also remind children of these hazards when leaving the observatory.
• Whilst working in the observatory there must be a minimum of 2 adults present.
• When working at computers children will be advised on correct use and staff must enforce this.
• Any vehicles associated with the group must be parked in such a way as not to obstruct movement around the site.
• Schools should adhere to the staffing ratios specified by their employing authority for the size of the group they bring. If the school is from out of authority, Doncaster regulations will be enforced unless that authority ratio is lower.
Additional Factors that could be taken into account to reduce risks or risk factors
• Children need to have an understanding before the visit what is expected of them.
• Increasing the ratios of school staff and other adults participating.
• Ensuring the school policy on helping adults is known and understood before the visit by all participating adults.
• Ensuring the activity provider has a thorough understanding of all your requirements for the activity, the numbers, age, general health (including disabled / handicapped within able bodied groups) of the pupils, and where necessary staff involved, ability range of pupils and those likely to cause problems.
• Consideration for the groups’ general safety, by excluding those likely to create a serious problem from the activity, or by specific control methods to be used for such pupils; i.e. 1:1 ratios with staff / helpers.
• Please also consider when making your assessments, as the generic one does not include, the competence, experience and qualifications of all supervisory staff sent by the schools.
• Does anyone on the trip hold First Aid certification?
• How long has the teacher in charge of each class been qualified?
• Has that person previous experience of organising / participating in a school trip?
• But above all... do the pupils understand what you expect of them from the visit? Have they, and how have they been prepared for this experience?
Last update: July 2007
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