Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that primary school children are safe inside the school building and in the surrounding area.

All schools have a legal responsibility to provide a safe and secure environment. Under health and safety legislation, schools are required to conduct a health and safety risk assessment and put in place an appropriate policy to ensure that staff and pupils are not exposed to risks. This applies to activities on or off the school premises.

Schools are also required to undertake a range of employment and criminal record checks when making appointments and supervise visitors to the school building. Guidance is made available to schools to help them meet these legal requirements.