THE CLEAPSS SCHOOL SCIENCE SERVICE

The CLEAPSS School Science Service is:

• a nation-wide advisory service for subscribers,
• for practical science and technology,
• for schools and colleges (including special schools, referral units, etc),
• able to help from nursery education through to A-level (GCE or GNVQ) or equivalent.

The CLEAPSS School Science Service serves:

• teachers (including head teachers),
• technicians,
• science advisers / inspectors,
• teacher trainers,
• health and safety advisers,
• architects (working for subscribers),
• other LEA officers,
• school governors.

The CLEAPSS School Science Service covers:

• health and safety,
• chemicals, living organisms, equipment,
• sources of resources,
• laboratory facilities and fittings,
• some workshop facilities and fittings,
• risk assessment.

CLEAPSS stands for -

Consortium of Local Education Authorities for the Provision of Science Services.

It is controlled by its members, ie:

• 179 LEAs throughout the British Isles (not Scotland), i.e., over 99% of those eligible.

It has around 1600 associate members, i.e.:

• foundation and voluntary aided schools (where not a member via an LEA),
• independent schools,
• incorporated colleges,
• teacher-training establishments,
• overseas institutions,
• field centres, museums, etc,
• curriculum developers.

The CLEAPSS School Science Service provides:

• termly newsletters for primary and secondary schools,
• a range of publications, mostly free (see below),
• model and special risk assessments,
• training courses for technicians and teachers, free or at low cost (listed below),
• a telephone Helpline which takes over 5000 calls per year,
• a monitoring service, e.g., for mercury spills,
• evaluations of equipment,
• discounts from some suppliers,
• advice on repairs.

Publications include:

• Hazcards,
• CLEAPSS Laboratory Handbook and Shorter Handbook,
• Model Risk Assessments for Design and Technology in Secondary Schools,
• Recipe Cards,
• Student Safety Sheets,
• Guides on specialist topics such as:

Fume Cupboard Datasheets,
Small Mammals,
Magnets for Primary Schools,
Designing and Planning Laboratories,
Developing and Using Environmental Areas in School Grounds,
Science for Secondary-aged Pupils with Special Educational Needs.

The training courses include:

• general health and safety in science,
• microscope maintenance,
• chemical handling,
• electrical work,
• microbiology,
• safety management (for heads of departments),
• radiation protection supervisor training,
• safety in primary science.

CLEAPSS also works in a less-visible manner to support practical science.
In particular, the Service is currently or has recently been:

• working with the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency on matters of mutual concern,
• working with QCA to advise on the health and safety implications of the exemplar Schemes of Work for Key Stages 1, 2 and 3,
• working with manufacturers and suppliers to keep abreast of latest developments,
• working with curriculum developers, publishers and television producers to ensure safe practices are described and / or shown,
• aiding curriculum development in safety by preparing Student Safety Sheets to support the teaching of the health & safety aspects included in the Science National Curriculum,
• represented on various British Standard committees (e.g. fume cupboards, eye protection, health and safety in school workshops) to ensure standards are appropriate to the needs of school science and technology.

www.cleapss.org.uk