P-05-802 Protecting Class Sizes in Design and Technology Classrooms and Workshops
P-05-802 Protecting Class Sizes in Design and Technology Classrooms and Workshops
This
petition was submitted by Aled Dafis having collected 338 signatures online.
Text of Petition
We call on the National
Assembly for Wales to urge the Welsh Government to ensure that all schools in
Wales fully adopt BS4163:2014 as a requirement as opposed to a recommendation,
in order to protect the health and safety of both students, teachers and
technicians.
Following networking
meetings for Design and Technology teachers within the ERW region, it has
become apparent that the financial pressures on schools give rise to a
situation where Design and Technology teachers are increasingly being asked to
teach classes larger than 20 pupils as recommended in BS4163:2014 "Health
and safety for design and technology in educational establishments – Code of
Practice". Increased class sizes invariably lead to higher risk of pupils
getting injured in workshop environments.
Additional
Information
The BS4163:2014 Code of
Practice clearly states as follows:
"9 Management of the
teaching environment
9.1
General
The number of learners in
any one work area should be carefully considered to ensure safe working and
effective supervision.
In England and Wales,
there should be a maximum of 20 learners with one competent, qualified teacher
in any one work area.
In Scotland and Northern
Ireland, there should be a maximum of 20 pupils for all classes in practical
subjects"
Assembly
Constituency and Region
·
Ceredigion
·
Mid
and West Wales
Status
This petition was
considered completed by the Petitions Committee at its meeting on 25/06/2019.
The Committee considered further correspondence
from the Minister for Education and the petitioner. The Committee agreed to
close the petition following the action taken to remind Headteachers, governing
bodies and others of the need to ensure that Design and Technology class risk
assessments are up-to-date through the Dysg Newsletter. In doing so, the
Committee wished to thank the petitioner for raising this matter.
Full details of the consideration of this
petitions by the committee and related documents can be seen on the Meetings
tab above.
It was first considered by the Petitions
Committee on 13/03/2018.
Assembly
Constituency and Region
·
Cardiff
Central
·
South
Wales Central
Further
information
Ø Learn more about the Assembly’s petitions process
Ø How the petitions system works
Business type: Petition
Reason considered: Senedd Business;
Status: Complete
First published: 09/03/2018