Here at the Alton Towers Resort, we want to make organising your school trip as easy as possible. We know that your risk assessment plays a key part in your planning and can take you a long time to complete, so we’ve done one too to help you with the process! All hazards are assessed in the likelihood of occurrence and the consequence if they were to occur. This allows us to identify the potential risk and score from 1 to 25. All hazards identified in our risk assessment carry a risk factor of less than 5 meaning they are categorised as very low risk. Our risk assessment covers key areas of visiting the Resort; getting here, the Theme Park, Waterpark, all hotels and relevant attractions. Whilst we’ve covered the main areas, there may be some aspects specific to your group that you will need to consider. We provide complimentary tickets so that you can come to the Resort ahead of your visit to complete your full risk assessment. We can’t wait to welcome you and your students to the UK’s most exciting classroom… the Alton Towers Resort! RISK ASSESSMENT 1 – ALTON TOWERS RESORT Who might be How might people be Risk rating New risk rating Action/ monitored Action/ monitored What is the hazard? Existing risk control measures Additional Controls harmed? harmed? by whom? by when? L C R L C R • Consider possible weather conditions and plan appropriate programme, clothing and equipment. • Plan for pupils who may not bring suitable clothing – check before departure and/or bring spares. Provide clear information Cold injury, heat injury, over- about suitable clothing and Teaching and Support Exposure to weather. Pupils and Staff 2 2 4 2 2 4 Prior and during visit exposure to sun. • Daily weather forecast obtained and plans adjusted accordingly. equipment to pupils and Staff parents. • Students and teachers should dress for the changeable British weather. There is not a great deal of cover around the park, please be prepared for rain at all times and wear sensible flat footwear due to the undulation of the Park and the need to brace on several of our rides. There are shaded areas provided throughout the attraction for sunny weather. • Ensure supervising staff competent and understand their roles. • Ratios in line with Education Service’s policy. • Plan and use suitable group control measures (for example, buddy systems, large groups split in small groups each with named leaders, identification system). • Discuss itinerary and arrangements with pupils. Provide clear information Pupil lost or separated • Briefing to all on what to do if separated from group. about suitable clothing and Teaching and Support from group, inadequate Pupils Injury, death. 2 2 4 1 2 2 Prior and during visit • Head counts by leaders particularly at arrival/departure points, equipment to pupils and Staff supervision. and when separating and reforming groups. parents. • Access within Cbeebies Land is limited to the main gate only, this is manned at all times. If any children are lost within Cbeebies Land, please speak to the entrance host. • Lost children / person collection point is situated at the top of Towers Street at the Guest services / Information Office. Children should approach a member of staff if they are unsure of the location. • At least one leader with each group first aid trained. • Leaders know how to call emergency services. • Pupils and parents are reminded to bring individual medication and this is securely kept. Check first aid certificates • current. Medication brought First aid and travel sickness equipment carried. Teaching and Support by pupils. Illness or injury. Pupils, Staff Illness, injury. • Mobile phones carried if available. 1 3 3 1 3 3 Staff, Alton Towers Prior and during visit First aid centre located and • Emergency contacts with school/headteacher and parents Resort Medical Team limitations noted arranged. • The first aid centre is located near to the entrance plaza. It is operated by a dedicated first-aid team. There is also a fully equipped terrestrial ambulance for use on and off-site by the in house first responder team. The nearest hospital is 20 miles from the Park. Special needs of • Obtain information from parents specific pupils – • Use recommended parental Teaching and Support Pupils Illness, injury. Take advice from SENCO if appropriate 1 2 2 1 2 2 Prior to visit medical, behavioural, consent form. Staff • Make necessary arrangements for individual pupils including educational. individual risk assessment and additional staffing as necessary. • Check location as suitable for this mode of supervision. • Ensure pupils sufficiently briefed and competent (any individual pupils for whom indirect supervision not suitable must be directly Indirect/remote supervised). supervision (includes • Clear guidelines and emergency procedures set and understood. Include in information Teaching and Support field work, souvenir Pupils Injury, death. • Pupils remain in pairs or groups (buddy system – each 1 2 2 1 2 2 Prior to visit provided to parents. Staff shopping, theme parks, responsible for named other). historic sites, etc) • Rendezvous points and times set. • Pupils know how to contact staff. • Staff understand they are still responsible. • Parents informed and consent given. • If staff (teachers or volunteers’) families join group, pupil Pupils, other children, supervision must not be compromised. Consider before staffing Teaching and Support Leader’s own children. Injury or death. 1 2 2 1 2 2 Prior to visit Staff • Staff children are similar age to group and supervised with pupils agreed. Staff or separate supervision arranged. • Some rides at Alton Towers expose children to water. These are Congo River Rapids, In The Night Garden Magical Boat Ride and Battle Galleons. • Congo River Rapids requires riders under 18 years to be Plan supervision before visit accompanied by an adult over 18 years. if appropriate. Alton Towers Resort, Water Pupils, Staff Injury or death 1 3 3 Brief students on acceptable 1 3 3 Teaching and Support During visit • Supervision is required where necessary. The waterpark behaviour for safety Staff admissions policy requires minimum adult to child supervision ratios for children under 10 years in accordance with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sports and Physical Activity CIMSPA guidelines. • Suitable supervision ratios applied • Pedestrian circulation areas within the Park are closed to vehicular traffic movement whilst open to the public. • There are designated drop-off/parking points for coaches at Alton Towers. • There is no requirement for children to cross any busy Vehicle traffic within the Keep pupils within park Teaching and Support Pupils, Staff Injury or death public roads although children will be required to cross internal 1 4 4 1 4 4 During visit park confines/Public areas. Staff Park roads to access the admissions area. • Pedestrian walkways are provided where possible. • The Hotels, waterpark and Conference centre are all inter connected so there is no requirement to cross traffic to commute between each location. • Pedestrian circulation areas within the Park are checked regularly and are kept clear of trip hazards. Note the presence of wet floors in bad weather. Use • Surfaces can become wet in bad weather. alternative routes (disabled Alton Towers Resort, Slips/Trips/Falls Pupils, Staff Injury or death 2 3 6 access) where necessary. 1 3 3 Teaching and Support Prior and during visit • Ground underfoot can be uneven especially in the garden Care must be taken when Staff area boarding and disembarking rides • Steps/staircases are present within the park • Supervision is required. • Handrails are provided where necessary and fencing/ signage installed to prevent unauthorised access into areas where fall hazards may exist. Note and obey all ride safety Teaching and Support High level areas Pupils, Staff Injury or death • Any ride evacuations at height will be supervised by 1 4 4 1 4 4 During visit designated competent staff utilizing appropriate fall procedures Staff arrest/restraint safety equipment for both themselves and • i it Rides are fitted with evacuation staircases and safety platforms at all high level points where the ride may routinely t • A few of the attractions / rides feature strobe lighting. This Note ride features and select Teaching and Support Strobe lighting Pupils, Staff Injury information can be found on signage at the entrance to each 2 3 6 appropriate rides for 1 3 3 Prior to visit Staff ride. individuals Note ride features and select • A few of the rides and attractions do use reduced lighting Teaching and Support Reduced lighting Pupils, Staff Injury, trip/fall 2 2 4 appropriate rides for 1 2 2 Prior to visit levels as part of the experience. Staff individuals • Some of the rides and attractions can be quite small in area Note ride features and select and to some individuals these may feel confined. Teaching and Support Enclosed spaces Pupils, Staff Discomfort/Panic 2 1 2 appropriate rides for 1 1 1 Prior to visit Staff • However no public areas on the Park can be defined as a individuals confined space. • Alton Towers has several areas of open water and the gardens have some areas with steeply sloping sides. All safety restrictions must be • All rides and attractions have the relevant safety restrictions adhered to at all times. Teaching and Support Attraction specific risk Pupils, Staff Injury or death displayed at the queue line entrance points and should be adhered to 1 3 3 Relevant group procedure 1 3 3 Staff, Alton Towers Prior and during visit at all times. should be applied in the attractions staff car/coach park areas. • Care should be taken in the car parks and coach parks with regards to the movement of vehicles in the vicinity of pedestrians. • Beware of closing doors on fingers / ride security Note possible entrapment Teaching and Support Door entrapment Injury 2 2 4 1 2 2 During visit Pupils, Staff equipment etc.