risk assessment for school gardening group

[jackyspratty]

hello peeps,

we are about to apply for funding for our new school gardening group. On he forms it says about risk assessments.

Any idea what I need to show for this. Obviously all group members have been CRB checked. Would we fall under school procedures or do we need seperate ones? How do you find out what you can and cannot grow?

All advice very gratefully received!

[rustylady]

Hi Donna, have you used the RHS site? link here RHS - Campaign for School Gardening - About the campaign

[rustylady]

And risk assessment forms downloadable from this site The Alnwick Garden

[Glutton4...]

Aaaah, Risk Assessments - do I miss them? Not on your Nelly! Zaz will probably be able to help, if she's not too busy. But I expect RL's info will give you all you need.

We did a little growing when I was at school, flowers and Beans, I seem to recall. But in those days we just got one with it.

[zazen999]

I wouldn't actually do a risk assessment for a school garden for a funding application, but you would say that you would have CRB checks, plus ensure that your staff involved are competent and confident;and will attend CPD on the topic, and you would join[ for example] the Food for Life PartnershipFood for Life Partnership : Home and [as mentioned] RHS for schools and carry out regular Audits and Risk Assessments on the school garden. FFLP [above] have the forms for audits and risk assessments and H&S is built into all the activities so following this programme will tick all boxes....

And again, I'd not mention what you would and wouldn't grow at this stage; keep it to 'food crops and companion planting, and medicinal herbs and fragrant plants' rather than mention that potato haulms are poisonous!

And...I've emailed you a couple of things.

[jackyspratty]

Thankyou all!!!

We are applying for funding from a local extended schools services fund and they specifically ask re risk assessment and whether we have done one. Its all parent volunteers running the group as opposed to staff, so it can be difficult to access courses etc especially those that ar free, local (most of us dont have transport) and fit in with school runs....

So all info is great thanks very much guys! Boy if Id known what a palarva (spelling?) this was before I'd started.......

[northepaul]

Good Luck with it though, Donna

[Snadger]

I wouldn't actually do a risk assessment for a school garden for a funding application, but you would say that you would have CRB checks, plus ensure that your staff involved are competent and confident;and will attend CPD on the topic, and you would join[ for example] the Food for Life PartnershipFood for Life Partnership : Home and [as mentioned] RHS for schools and carry out regular Audits and Risk Assessments on the school garden. FFLP [above] have the forms for audits and risk assessments and H&S is built into all the activities so following this programme will tick all boxes....

And again, I'd not mention what you would and wouldn't grow at this stage; keep it to 'food crops and companion planting, and medicinal herbs and fragrant plants' rather than mention that potato haulms are poisonous!

And...I've emailed you a couple of things.

I wouldn't mention 'Medicinal Herbs' unless you've got a skilled pharmacist on board! I know there are no poisonous herbs only poisonous dosages, but kids being kids, those doages could be exceeded!

[rustylady]

Try culinary herbs, instead?

[Two_Sheds]

I had to do a risk assessment for the RHS funding: I used their own proforma which Rusty linked to.

I basically listed all the things that might potentially cause harm to children (knives, weedkillers, deep water, fungus spores from compost, poisonous plants etc) and beside them wrote what I intended to do to avoid them. Common sense really, you just need to get it written down

And yes, our LEA has banned the growing of spuds and tomatoes on the grounds they are poisonous. Foxgloves however are not banned, go figure

[zazen999]

Thankyou all!!!

We are applying for funding from a local extended schools services fund and they specifically ask re risk assessment and whether we have done one. Its all parent volunteers running the group as opposed to staff, so it can be difficult to access courses etc especially those that ar free, local (most of us dont have transport) and fit in with school runs....

So all info is great thanks very much guys! Boy if Id known what a palarva (spelling?) this was before I'd started.......

In that case, I'd just get the H&S bod at school to sit over a coffee and [much as two sheds said] just do it!

For example, in my schools - all sharp tools are held by the adults; and when we do cuttings for example, I take do the cutting and they do the taking off of leaves and sticking in the compost - so minimising the risk whilst still carrying out the task.

And of course, gardening organically will minimise some risks anyway....like pesticides or herbicides not being on site....

[Two_Sheds]

I've just done cuttings with my lot. I used a blunt knife, and held it for them, with the children just pushing down on my hand so they felt like they were doing the cut

They were all begging to do it themselves, but were all sensible bar one lad, who nearly took my fingers off as he whipped the knife back too fast. There's always one.

[Pies]

Another generic RA

http://education.staffordshire.gov.u...onsGRA0192.doc

[MrsC]

Hi, I can give you an RHS one that we used at the Tatton Flower Show for the garden the children designed and built. 1st time the RHS have ever allowed kids on site for build up in its history, you'll need to adapt, but don't worry about it, let me know. It covers everything

[jackyspratty]

Hi, I can give you an RHS one that we used at the Tatton Flower Show for the garden the children designed and built. 1st time the RHS have ever allowed kids on site for build up in its history, you'll need to adapt, but don't worry about it, let me know. It covers everything

Thanks Mrc C that would be great. Sorry to all of you for my late reply but my laptop has been playing silly buggers.

Thanks to everyone for all your ideas, experience and support. I can feel a bit bogged own and isolated as a lot of peeps in the group want to do the gardening but not the development. Its good to have you guys to keep me on track and motivated!