Physical Education Class (PE) Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Cold and inclement weather exposure — Issue go/no-go thresholds for wind chill and rain; require layers, gloves and waterproofs; shorten exposure, build frequent warm-up breaks, and move to sheltered or indoor spaces if pupils are shivering or soaked. Dry wet floors and provide space to change into dry clothing promptly.
• Behaviour and horseplay — Set clear conduct rules and consequences; enforce no-contact or controlled-contact expectations as appropriate; remove unsafe participants from play to reset; use engaging, competitive but fair structures; and build reflection routines that reward safe decision-making and teamwork.
• Inadequate safety briefing and rules of play — Open each lesson with concise safety points, rules and signals; demonstrate key skills; check understanding with quick questions; highlight stop words; agree boundaries and sanctions; and revisit points before higher-risk drills, adapting briefings for age and ability.
• Inadequate supervision and group ratios — Maintain age-appropriate ratios and sight-lines; zone the area and position staff to cover blind spots; pause activity when attending to an injury; account for pupils at transitions; brief support staff and coaches on roles; and avoid simultaneous high-risk drills without extra adults.
• Inappropriate footwear and clothing — Publish a clear PE kit policy: supportive footwear, hair tied back, no jewellery, nails short; provide spare kit where possible. Check compliance at the start, issue tape for newly pierced ears only when sport-appropriate, and adapt tasks where clothing/footwear is marginal.