Handsam Review of EdSafe Audits 2023
Handsam maintain a rolling average of EdSafe audit scores which has been updated over the summer in readiness for the new 2023/24 academic year. In making a comparison between the two most recent periods (see the table below), here are the key points arising:
EdSafe Audit Score
The overall average EdSafe audit score for the rolling two-year period 2021-23 was 84.39%, an increase of 4.04% on the previous two-year period, 2019-21. This also represents the highest ever average score and shows how Handsam’s clients have benefitted from our support and increased performance since the pandemic and the excellent dedication to the safety of staff and students and showing improvement in this vital area of school life.
EdSafe Audit Categories
Of the 10 EdSafe audit categories, Curriculum Safety showed the largest improvement of 9.47% on the previous two-year period, from 72.66% on average to 82.13%. This shows the increased focus on safety and also the supporting paperwork which has been focussed on over the last few years by teaching staff. This is crucial as curriculum areas are where students interact with hazards on the most regular, day-to-day basis.
Despite remaining the lowest performing of the 10 EdSafe audit categories, Leadership and Management showed the next biggest increase of 7.23% on the previous two-year period, from 72.29% on average to 79.52%. This is a significant increase and shows the levels of commitment and leadership relating to health and safety which have taken place in recent years. It also is a reflection on the improvement in key paperwork such as policies!
All the other categories showed increases of between 2% and 4% between the two periods, aside from Safeguarding & Security, which remains in any case the second highest-performing category with an average score of 89.69%, reflecting the dedication of staff and seriousness with which schools approach safeguarding the children in their care.
Decrease
The only one of the 10 EdSafe audit categories to show a decrease between the two periods was Pupil Off-Site Excursions (Educational Trips and Visits), although this was only a small one of 1.11% from 90.6% to 89.49%. This saw it drop from being the highest-performing category in 2019-21 to the third highest in the 2021-23 period. This reflects the lack of trips and training which have taken place since the pandemic.
Although, things are now returning to the kinds of levels seen before Covid-19 struck, aside from mental health, Pupil Off-Site Excursions (Educational Trips and Visits) has been by far the most significantly-impacted area of health and safety to remain impacted, as shown by these figures.