The Chief Fire Officers’ Association The professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service Revised MOU with DCSF Independent Schools Phil Clark

The Chief Fire Officers’ Association The professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service Background Information There are around 2,300 independent schools in England. These schools set their own curriculum and admissions policies. They are funded by fees paid by parents and income from investments. Just over half have charitable status. Every independent school must be registered with the DCSF

The Chief Fire Officers’ Association The professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service Reason for review Low take up from FRS –Sits outside of most RBIP –Aim of review to clarify position & include contact details for DCSF.

The Chief Fire Officers’ Association The professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service Legislation Education Act Part 10 Education (Independent Schools Standards) England Regs 2003 Education (Provision of Information by Independent Schools) (England) Regs 2003 Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

The Chief Fire Officers’ Association The professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service Education (Independent Schools Standards) (England) 2003 Independent schools must have a satisfactory level of fire safety identified by risk assessment –Refers back to MHSWR & FP WP Regs

The Chief Fire Officers’ Association The professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service Education Act Part 10 Independent Schools Standards –…the health & safety of pupils Registration –..cannot register a school until DCSF are satisfied that the school is broadly compliant. De-Registration –DCSF can de-register on grounds of inadequate fire safety (S165)

The Chief Fire Officers’ Association The professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Did not revoke or amend Education Act / Independent Schools Regs with regard to fire safety.

The Chief Fire Officers’ Association The professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service Article 42 RRFSO Registration of school does constitute a licence under A42 –DCSF must consult with the FRS prior to registering the school

The Chief Fire Officers’ Association The professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service Article 43 RRFSO FRS must notify DCSF of any enforcement action they are taking.

The Chief Fire Officers’ Association The professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service Memorandum of Understanding Enforcement –Send copy of reports to DCSF –Consult prior to serving a legal notice (A42) Joint commitment –Annual review –New Independent Schools will not open prior to DCSF receiving a FRS response

The Chief Fire Officers’ Association The professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service MOU DCSF Commitment –Provide FRS with list of schools & DCSF contacts –On application for new schools, forward a set of plans for comment

The Chief Fire Officers’ Association The professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service MOU FRS Commitment –Provide contact details of technical fire safety team leaders –Undertake audit of new applications within one month… if constructed. –Copy any correspondence to DCSF –Respond to complaints from DCSF

The Chief Fire Officers’ Association The professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service MOU Frequency of audit –Very High and High e.g boarding schools, as per RBIP –Med to low risk Sample preferably a min of 3 per year

The Chief Fire Officers’ Association The professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service