Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment Template

Note: Use this Risk Assessment for a high or extreme risk activity where a Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment Guideline does not exist. If a Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment Guideline exists for your activity, it is to be adhered to and completed as your Risk Assessment.

Activity Description:

Teachers/Leaders:

Class groups:

Number of students (approx.):

Start date:

Finish Date:

Supervision ratio (approx.):

Use this risk assessment matrix as a guide to assess the inherent risk level. Refer to the attached appendix for further details.

Likelihood Consequence
1 Insignificant 2 Minor 3 Moderate 4 Major 5 Critical
5 Almost Certain Medium Medium High Extreme Extreme
4 Likely Low Medium High High Extreme
3 Possible Low Medium High High High
2 Unlikely Low Low Medium Medium High
1 Rare Low Low Low Low Medium

Indicate the assessed risk level and undertake the actions required for that level of risk.

Inherent Risk Level Action Required / Approval
Low Little chance of incident or injury.
Manage through regular planning processes
Medium Some chance of an incident and injury requiring first aid.
Document controls in planning documents and/or complete this Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment.
Consider obtaining parental/carer permission.
High Likely chance of a serious incident and injury requiring medical treatment.
A Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment is required to be completed.
Principal or head of program approval prior to conducting this activity is required.
Once approved, activity details are to be entered into the School Curriculum Activity Register.
Obtaining parental permission is recommended.
Extreme High chance of a serious incident resulting in highly debilitating injury.
Consider alternatives to the activity.
A Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment is required to be completed.
Principal approval prior to conducting this activity is required.
Once approved, activity details are to be entered into the School Curriculum Activity Register.
Parental/carer permission must be obtained for student participation.

Minimum Standards

Listed below are the general ‘minimum’ recommendations for the management of High and Extreme risk activities. For any items you check “No”, provide further information on the additional controls to be implemented. For any items that are not applicable, check N/A.

Minimum Supervision and Qualifications Yes No
Registered teacher with minimum qualifications and experience as required by the nature of the activity;
Registered teacher and an adult with minimum qualifications required to conduct this activity
Sufficient adults with current First Aid qualifications including CPR
Number of adults supervising the activity: Teachers Teacher Aides Others
Blue Card requirements are met

Further information:
Minimum Equipment/Facilities for the Activity Yes No N/A
First Aid kit suitable for activity is readily available
Communication system: telephone line at location mobile phone walkie talkies student/adult messenger
Other:
Sun safety equipment if outdoors (hat, sunscreen, shirt, shade etc)
Drinking water (students should not share drinking containers)
Suitable personal protective equipment to be used
All equipment and facilities comply with relevant safety standards

Further information:
Governing Bodies/Associations Yes No N/A
Do guidelines from a governing body exist for this activity?
If so, have they been referred to and followed?

Further information:

Hazards and Control Measures

Listed below are indicative hazards/risks and suggested control measures. They are by no means exhaustive lists. Add details of any other hazards/risks or additional controls you intend to implement. For any items not applicable, please check N/A.

Hazards/Risks Recommended Control Measures Yes No N/A Detail how this will be implemented and any additional controls
Students
Medical conditions
Special needs
High-risk behaviours		 Obtain parental permission, including relevant medical information.

When students with medical conditions are involved, ensure that relevant medical/emergency plans and medications are readily available.

Refer to Individual Education Plan/Educational Adjustment Plan/Behaviour Management Plan and other student documents.

Where necessary, obtain advice from relevant Advisory Visiting Teachers or specialist Teachers.

Refer to relevant student management/behaviour plans, or other student records.

Provide additional supervision.
Physical Contact with:
- other people
- flying objects
- hard surfaces		 Instruction in rules, safety procedures and prerequisite skills before participation in the activity.

Protective equipment is used where required.
Physical Exertion
Strains
Sprains
Fatigue and exhaustion		 Appropriate warm-up and warm-down activities.

Progressive and sequential skills development.

First Aid equipment available - e.g. ice packs, water.

Continuously monitor students for signs of fatigue and exhaustion.
Infection Control
Body Fluids (e.g. Blood, saliva)
Hygiene
Food handling		 Comply with Infection Control Guideline.

Be prepared to deal with student injuries/accidents involving bodily fluids that are possible given the nature of the activity and students.

Establish processes to maintain safe hygiene standards.
Environmental
Sun safety
Weather conditions (e.g. storms, wind)
Site hazards (e.g. isolation, heights, fauna, flora, noise, deep water)
Vehicles		 Adopt sun-safe strategies.
Monitor weather conditions - prepare contingency plan.
Check site for hazards and implement controls as necessary.
Check site for poisonous plants/dangerous animals.
Establish safe, designated areas for people and vehicles.
Equipment / Materials
Hazardous substances
Sharp implements
High risk plant / tools / equipment
Electricity
Props, stages, lights etc.		 Refer to Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each hazardous substance used.

Provide complete safety instructions on the use of all equipment.

Establish safety zones for use of equipment.

Electrical items are maintained as required, and visually inspected before use.

Other Hazards/Risks

Additional Control Measures
This would relate to the specific student needs, locations and conditions in which you are conducting your activity.

Submitted by:

Date:

Indicate the names of staff involved in the preparation of this risk assessment.

Approval

Approved as submitted:

Approved with the following conditions:

Not Approved for the following reasons:

By:

Designation:

Signed:

Date:

Reference No.

Monitor and Review

(To be completed during and/or after the activity.)

Question Yes No
Are the control measures still effective?
Have there been any changes?
Are further actions required?

Details:

Important Links

HLS-PR-012: Curriculum Activity Risk management

HLS-PR-003: First Aid for Schools and Non-school Locations

HLS-PR-005: Health and Safety Incident Reporting and Notification

SCM-PR-002: School Excursions

HRM-PR-010 Working With Children Check - Blue Cards

HLS-PR-013: Developing a Sun Safety Strategy

HLS-PR-006: Managing Occupational Risks with Chemicals

Infection Control Guideline

Queensland School Sport

Electrical

Portable Electrical Power Equipment

Appendix: Managing Risks in Curriculum Activities

This document aims to assist staff undertake an effective risk assessment. The information presented here should be seen as the ‘minimum expected standard’ to manage risk, rather than the definitive list of requirements.

All the information presented should be carefully considered in respect to specific context, such as:

1. Which students will be involved? (age, maturity, experience, specific needs, number)

2. What will students be doing? (jumping, swimming, cutting, cooking, throwing etc)

3. What will students be using? (hazardous materials, sporting equipment, tools, stove etc)

4. Where will students be? (classroom, outdoors, pool, creek, at height etc)

5. Who will be leading the activity? (experience, qualifications etc)

THE RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS

1. Identify the potential hazards

2. Assess the risk

3. Decide on the control measures

4. Implement the control measures

5. Monitor and review

Enter text✕
Prepare your document for signing right on this page
  • 01 Edit the text and complete the fields
  • 02 Click Sign Now and on the next screen add recipients and signature fields in SignNow
  • 03 Start your free trial to sign and send your doc
Sign Now

What the Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment Is

A Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment is a structured form used by educators and program leads to identify, evaluate, and document potential hazards associated with a specific curricular activity. It defines the activity, lists participants and supervisors, describes environment and equipment, rates likelihood and severity of harm, and records mitigations. The assessment creates a written record that supports planning, parental communication, compliance with institutional policies, and informed decision making when activities include travel, physical risk, off-site visits, or use of specialized equipment.

Why a Risk Assessment Matters for Curriculum Activities

Completing this assessment clarifies hazards, documents mitigations, and reduces liability by creating an auditable record of decision making tied to curricular planning and student safety.

Why a Risk Assessment Matters for Curriculum Activities

Who Typically Prepares and Reviews These Assessments

School administrators, classroom teachers, and activity coordinators commonly complete Curriculum Activity Risk Assessments before running non-routine activities.

  • Teachers and instructors responsible for direct supervision and daily execution of activities, ensuring controls are practical in the classroom or field.
  • School safety officers or risk managers who review assessments for policy compliance and district-level mitigation consistency.
  • Parents, guardians, and school nurses when activities involve medical risks or require health disclosures.

Use the assessment as a coordination tool: document approvals, training needs, and emergency contacts before the activity begins.

Step-by-Step: Completing the Assessment

Follow these sequential steps to produce a defensible, auditable assessment before the activity starts.

  • 01
    1. Describe: Summarize the activity goals, participants, and environment.
  • 02
    2. Identify Hazards: List foreseeable hazards and affected persons.
  • 03
    3. Assess Risk: Rate likelihood and consequence for each hazard.
  • 04
    4. Approve: Obtain required sign-offs and document training.

Configuring an Online Assessment Workflow

Set up fields, routing, and permissions to match your institution's approval process and record-retention needs.

Field Configuration
Responsible Person Assign role-based reviewer and final approver.
Approval Order Configure sequential routing or parallel approvals as needed.
Signatures Required Define which roles must sign (teacher, principal, nurse).
Retention Rule Set automatic retention and archival durations.

Sharing, Signing, and Technical Requirements

Choose a platform that supports fillable forms, role-based routing, and secure e-signing compatible with institutional policies.

  • File Formats: Accept PDF and DOCX formats.
  • Authentication: Email links or SMS verification acceptable.
  • Audit Trail: Capture IP, timestamp, and signer identity.

Confirm platform security meets FERPA and, when applicable, HIPAA requirements; ensure the system retains tamper-evident audit logs and supports export to your records system.

Where the Completed Assessment Should Go

Route the finished assessment to organizational recipients and stores for compliance and accessibility.

  • School Records: Store in student safety or activity files.
  • Risk Management: Send copy to risk or facilities team for review.
  • Parent / Guardian: Share relevant parts with parents when required.
  • Emergency Contacts: Embed contact info for first responders.

Essential Components of a Professional Assessment

A complete assessment blends clear description, objective risk ratings, and actionable controls so reviewers can approve confidently.

Activity Summary

Concise purpose and scope statement that frames what will happen, where, and why, providing context for all reviewers and emergency personnel.

Participant Details

Full roster of attendees, adults, and special needs information so supervisors and medical responders can act on accurate identity and accommodation data.

Hazard Inventory

A line-item list of foreseeable hazards with short descriptions so each risk is visible and traceable during pre-event checks.

Risk Ratings

Standardized likelihood and severity scores for each hazard to prioritize mitigations and support acceptance or cancellation decisions.

Mitigation Plan

Specific, measurable controls (PPE, supervision ratios, emergency equipment) and responsible persons for each control to ensure accountability.

Approvals

Designated signature blocks, dates, and version control that document authorization and any conditions attached to the activity approval.

Required Administrative and Security Details

Document Owner: Name and role
Approval Signatures: Signed by required roles
Access Controls: Who can view/edit
Audit Trail: Timestamps and IP
Storage Location: Records system or folder
Data Classification: FERPA/HIPAA status

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Using vague controls such as 'supervision provided' without specifying adult-to-student ratio or qualifications undermines enforceability and safety.
  • Failing to list full participant names and emergency contacts can delay medical response and complicate parental notification after an incident.
  • Skipping role-based approvals or training documentation leads to gaps in accountability and increases institutional exposure in investigations.
  • Not capturing a tamper-evident audit trail or version history reduces the assessment's evidentiary value if a dispute or claim arises.

Consequences of an Incomplete or Incorrect Assessment

Regulatory Risk: Breach of FERPA or state education rules
Health Liability: Increased injury or exposure risk
Disciplinary Action: Staff reprimand or suspension
Legal Claims: Civil suits or indemnity claims
Insurance Impact: Higher premiums or denial
Reputational Harm: Loss of public trust

Examples: How Assessments Are Used in Practice

Two real-world scenarios show the assessment's role in planning, approval, and post-activity review.

Field Trip to Science Center

A middle-school teacher documented bus travel and museum hazards, including crossing streets and lab demos,

  • noted required chaperone ratios and first-aid kit placement,
  • the district risk officer approved with conditions and the signed record simplified parent communications and incident follow-up procedures.

High School Chemistry Lab

A chemistry instructor listed hazardous reagents and fume-hood use,

  • implemented PPE and emergency eyewash procedures,
  • the safety committee required a pre-lab competency check; the documented mitigations and signatures supported rapid corrective action when a spill occurred.

Who Can Legally Sign and Approve

Teacher / Instructor

The supervising teacher typically completes the assessment, certifies controls are in place, and provides operational details; they attest that preparations and briefings occurred before activity start.

Principal / Administrator

An authorized school administrator or program director provides final approval and confirms that district-level policies and insurance requirements are satisfied prior to activity authorization.

Timing Expectations and Deadlines

Establish clear timing for preparation, approval, and distribution so responsibilities and lead times are met.

Pre-Activity Submission:

Submit assessment at least 7 business days before off-site activities.

Training Completion:

Complete required staff training 48–72 hours before the activity.

Parent Notification:

Distribute activity details and permissions 5 business days prior.

On-Site Verification:

Perform final controls check within 24 hours of start.

Post-Activity Review:

Complete lessons-learned within 5 business days after activity ends.

Key Milestones from Planning to Closeout

Track these sequential milestones to ensure the assessment guides safe execution and retains required records.

01

Draft Assessment

Teacher completes initial assessment draft describing scope and hazards.

02

Risk Review

Risk or safety officer reviews controls and requests changes if needed.

03

Final Approval

Administrator signs off and records any conditional requirements.

04

After-Action

Post-activity review captures incidents and updates the template for future use.

eSignature Vendor Comparison

Common capabilities and starting prices for enterprise and SMB eSignature plans; signNow appears first for direct comparison.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

FAQs and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about using, signing, and storing Curriculum Activity Risk Assessments.


Need help? Contact support

Explore Templates

Secretary's Certification of Resolution Notice of Change of Address Notice of Rejected Bid Notice of Upcoming Temporary Interruption of Service Notice of Charge Account Credit Limit Raise Sales Agency Agreement
be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users
Sign Now
Company
Forms
Pricing
Resources
Knowledge base
Other Products
© 2026 airSlate Inc. All rights reserved.