Winchester College - Head of Health & Safety

Summary

The College seeks to appoint an IOSH-certified or similarly qualified and experienced professional to the role of Head of Health and Safety. This crucial leadership position is responsible for the continual review, development, and implementation of health and safety processes, systems, and culture across Winchester College and Pilgrims’ School. The Head of Health and Safety supports senior management in ensuring the safety of pupils, staff, and visitors, while also being accountable for wider technical compliance and record-keeping in respect of all appropriate legislation and ISI regulations. The successful candidate will be a proactive, resilient, and highly competent safety leader with a proven ability to translate legislation into practical, applicable working solutions.

Detail

The Role

Reporting to the Estates Bursar, the Head of Health and Safety is responsible for strategic leadership, operational oversight, and administrative compliance in all health and safety matters. The postholder acts as the approved competent person for both schools, is the Secretary to the Health and Safety Committee, and is supported by a part-time Administrator.

Your key responsibilities include:

Policy, Culture, and Compliance

• Policy Writing and Reviewing: Review and revise Health and Safety arrangements regularly, ensuring approval by the Health and Safety Committee and accessibility by all employees.
• Cultural Growth: Promote and encourage continuous improvement and cultural growth in health and safety awareness across all staff.
• Day-to-Day Implementation: Coordinate the practical, day-to-day implementation of all safety policies and arrangements.
• External Liaison: Liaise with external agencies including the College's safety consultant, HSE Inspectors, local Environmental Health Officers, and local Fire Officers.
• ISI Support: Support the school’s senior management in preparing for and participating in ISI inspections from a health and safety perspective.
• Legislation Awareness: Ensure the schools remain abreast of changes in legislation, policies, and practices, with the support of external consultants.

Auditing, Reporting, and Support

• Internal Auditing: Meet with all Heads of Department (HODs), Housemasters, and key Pilgrims’ staff at least annually to review safety measures and paperwork within their control, providing a written report on required improvements.
• External Audits: Review and maintain agreements with external subject matter experts and suppliers, and engage in a 3-yearly external high-level audit.
• Action Planning: Produce and regularly review a Health and Safety action plan with the Estates Bursar, arising from external audits.
• Critical Incident Support: Support the school’s senior management in the preparation and review of Critical Incident Response, Emergency Management, and Business Continuity plans from a health and safety perspective.
• Investigations: Notify the enforcing authority of any serious accidents, incidents, or industrial diseases (in accordance with RIDDOR 2013) and carry out required investigations.

Administration, Training, and Events

• Health and Safety Committee: Act as Secretary of the Committee, liaising with the Estates Bursar and Bursar (Chair) to approve agendas and minutes, and preparing all proposals and reports.
• Training Programme: Arrange and provide relevant safety training to all employees. Design, set up, and nurture a network of Health and Safety champions across the schools.
• First Aid: Ensure arrangements for adequate and appropriate first aid cover are in place at all times, including training and refresher training for employees.
• School Trips: Review all school trip risk assessments and advise on essential amendments before departure.
• Record Keeping: Maintain tidy, designated records and champion the roll-out and full use of the SMARTLOG record-keeping platform.
• Events and Contractors: Assist in establishing a system for the review of contractors' statutory documentation (Risk Assessments, Method Statements, etc.) for events and during leave-out periods.
• Fire Safety: Assist with the review of Fire Risk Assessments and fire evacuation plans, and ensure adequate fire warden coverage is in place, including training.
• Budget Management: Draw up an annual budget proposal for approval in conjunction with the Estates Bursar.

About You

We are seeking a resilient, analytical, and highly proactive individual with exceptional interpersonal skills who is committed to the safety and welfare of children.

Essential Professional Experience

• Qualifications: IOSH-certified, or equivalent experience with other H&S qualification. NEBOSH Certificate as a minimum, likely working towards or holding a Diploma or equivalent.
• Leadership Experience: Proven experience in a Health and Safety management/leadership role.
• Practical Application: Proven ability to translate Health and Safety legislation into practical and applicable working solutions.
• Training: Experience in delivering Health and Safety training.

Key Qualities & Skills

• Technical Awareness: Advanced understanding and awareness of applicable compliance systems and processes.
• Data Analysis: Ability to analyse H&S data and produce actionable, pragmatic recommendations.
• Communication: Strong interpersonal skills with effective written and verbal communication.
• Workload Management: Analytical with strong attention to detail, ability to work independently, work to deadlines, and prioritise work accordingly.
• Proactivity: Flexible in approach, resilient to persevere, and will take initiative to resolve issues.
• Commitment: Being committed to the safety and welfare of children, as well as equality of opportunity, is essential.

Desirable Experience: Experience in an educational setting and/or experience in construction would be helpful but not essential.

What We Offer

• Start Date: As soon as possible.
• Hours of Work: This is a full-time role, 37.5 hours per week, plus such other hours as are reasonably necessary to meet the needs of the College and the demands of the role.
• Salary: Competitive salary up to £60,000 per annum, dependent on qualifications and experience. Paid monthly in arrears in 12 equal payments.

HOW TO APPLY

Only applications completed on the school website will be accepted. Please attach a full CV with your application.

Please note that applications will be dealt with as they arrive. Winchester College reserves the right to appoint before the deadline passes.

Closing date for applications: Midnight Sunday 30th November 2025

For the full job description and to apply please see here

If you have any questions about this vacancy or the recruitment process, please email recruitment@wincoll.ac.uk.