HENN’s Post

Independent Schools Compensation Corporation (ISCC) Member institutions – from #independentschools to #museums and cultural centers – are cornerstones of #learning, creativity, and #community. But ensuring the #safety of students, patrons, staff, and volunteers requires vigilance beyond educational programs and exhibits. Here at the ISCC, we recognize the critical link between #physicalplant #maintenance and the well-being of those who visit and work within our member institutions. https://lnkd.in/ebcygDZj #ISCC #FutureComp #culture #education #culturalinstitutions #arts #culture #facilities #safetyculture #losscontrol #claimsmanagement #claims #workerscomp #workerscompensation #insurance #selfinsured

Hello! Hope you are having a good summer. I've been on holiday (in fair weather and foul here in the UK!) and was sat on the beach the other day when I started thinking about how visual thinking even plays a part in our summer holidays. The RNLI lifeguards (who do such a great job keeping us safe in the water) use a system of flags to indicate where you can safely go in the water and when you should stay out of the sea due to dangerous conditions. Whilst the flags have no specific imagery on them, the colour combinations seem to be generally well understood by beach-goers. This could be due to word-of-mouth, effective communication initiatives from the RNLI and more detailed signage being available at the entrances to the beaches. In terms of visually communicating important information rapidly and clearly, the RNLI flag system is a great example of visual communication. What other great examples of visual thinking and visual communication have you seen on your holidays? Feel free to share in the comments below! John Picture credit: The RNLI website. #RNLI #flags #watersafety #visualthinking #visualcommunication

Well Done

RAAC and attendance recording https://lnkd.in/etnEmhyZ This is what the RAAC guidance says about attendance ( other sections on remote education, safeguarding etc are also important in this document) Prioritising attendance In exceptional circumstances, if there are high levels of disruption due to RAAC which mean you need to temporarily prioritise face-to-face places in your setting, you should give priority to: • vulnerable children and young people • the children of critical workers • pupils due to take public examinations and other formal assessments Attendance Attendance is essential for pupils to get the most out of their school experience, including for their attainment, wellbeing, and wider life chances. Schools and other settings should consider the approaches set out in this guidance while also working closely with pupils parents, carers, and any other relevant partners such as the local authority, to remove any barriers to attendance. Schools should continue to record pupil absence in the register in line with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 and DfE’s attendance guidance, using the most appropriate code If you need to prioritise attendance by telling some pupils not to attend, the Y code should be used for those pupils, reflecting the exceptional circumstances. Pupils who are required to attend should be recorded in the normal way. The Y code does not count towards the pupil or school’s absence record

Take a look at some key moments from our strategic collaboration with MBRU on developing a comprehensive Evacuation Plan. This initiative underscores our commitment to enhancing accessibility and safety in educational environments. 🏫 Ensuring that schools and universities are equipped with well-thought-out evacuation plans is crucial. Such measures guarantee that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, can safely navigate emergencies with confidence and ease. 🌐 At DASS Solutions, we are dedicated to making public spaces safer and more accessible. Our work with MBRU is a prime example of how tailored safety solutions can create environments where everyone has the means to protect themselves in critical situations. 💡 Want to know more about implementing robust evacuation plans in your institution? Contact us today to see how we can make your space safer and more inclusive! #SafetyFirst #AccessibilityMatters #EvacuationPlanning #InclusiveSafety #PublicSafety #EducationalSafety #MBRU #AccessibleEducation #EmergencyPreparedness #Accessibility #DASSSolutions

The education symposium focusing on public building occupancy safety featured a demonstration showcasing the importance of using specialty films for window fortification. In contrast to a standard 8 mm film, a specialty film that is four times stronger and at the same cost was highlighted. The demonstration involved throwing four large rocks at the window, which did not penetrate the specialty film. Additionally, the demonstrator proceeded to beat the window with a baseball bat, showcasing the film’s exceptional strength and durability as the bat did not penetrate the window. This demonstration emphasized that there is much more to window fortification than standard ballistic films. The impressive performance of the specialty film in withstanding various impacts highlights the importance of utilizing advanced technologies to enhance public building occupancy safety. This serves as a valuable lesson for attendees of the symposium, emphasizing the significance of investing in high-quality window fortification solutions to ensure the security and safety of public spaces. The video is most impressive, check it out!

In this recent article on the SHP Online website, 700,000 pupils in England are at risk from unsafe or ageing school buildings, according to a recent report. The Department for Education needs to prioritise its objective around safe and well-maintained school properties to ensure the safety of our children. Read this article on SHP Online website to learn more: https://bit.ly/45uH15N #EducationProjects #BuildingControl #Approvedinspectors

It has been revealed that, with an increasing number of schools in urgent and desperate need of major repair and refurbishment, the number of building repair projects approved by the government has reduced by nearly 60% – from 2,104 repair projects in 2020-21 to 826. Experts warn that buckets on desks, freezing classrooms and power cuts have become commonplace.

Is 2020 2.0 on the horizon for children and parents alike? The last three years have left a permanent mark on our children and future generations. The prolonged closure of schools and universities in 2020 had far-reaching consequences for education, mental health, and social skills. It wasn't just the children who felt the impact, but the parents who had to scramble to balance work and childcare at the drop of a hat, too. And here we are again, with the new school term supposed to be in full swing, but last week, the Department for Education (DfE) made a sudden decision to close over 100 schools across the UK due to the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) within their structures. Of course, pupil safety is critical, but deciding on the cusp of the new term has put schools, students, and parents alike into a tailspin. What do we know so far about the crisis? 🔴 RAAC, an alternative to traditional concrete, was used in construction from the 1950s to the 1990s because it's lighter and offers better thermal insulation. However, it's weaker, porous, and prone to cracking and corrosion—a major concern now. Its structural integrity has been likened to that of an Aero chocolate bar. 🔴 RAAC has a limited life of 30 years. That means buildings erected in the 1990s are now starting to show structural deficiencies — if they haven't already. 🔴 The DfE's decision for immediate closures at the eleventh hour was based on "new evidence" from the summer. This evidence emerged when a seemingly low-risk beam collapsed during a survey, exposing the danger. 🔴 As of last week, we have confirmation that 156 schools contain RAAC. Fifty-two were categorised as "critical" in a risk assessment. The remaining 104 school buildings, considered "non-critical," have also been vacated until safety measures can be implemented. 🔴 A further 572 schools have identified potential RAAC presence. 🔴 The issue extends beyond schools; 34 hospital buildings in England are also at risk. This is just the start. The RAAC crisis underscores the importance of using materials built to last, not just those fit for purpose in the present. The potential consequences for our country could be enormous. Addressing this challenge will require a massive undertaking in the construction industry. All we can do now is wait and see the next steps the government takes. The consequence of failing to invest in bricks and mortar has been plain to see so far. Better steps need to be taken. What are your thoughts on the RAAC crisis? #Raaccrisis #education #construction