School Safety

At Westwood Secondary School, we are committed to providing a safe and secure environment that supports the holistic development of our students and the well-being of our staff.  To achieve this, we work closely with parents and community partners to uphold high standards of safety and preparedness.

Safety policies and guidelines

Safety policies and guidelines are communicated to all staff and students at the beginning of each school year.

The School Safety Committee, chaired by a Vice-Principal and supported by various Heads of Department, oversees the development, implementation and regular review of all school safety matters.

General safety precautions

Student safety briefings

Safety briefings are conducted for all students and cover the following areas:

• Safety in school (e.g. special rooms, recess, physical activities, and road safety within the school compound)

• Safety outside school (e.g. commuting to and from school via public or private transport, cycling, learning journeys, outdoor camps, and overseas trips)

• Medical exemptions, where medical clearance is obtained from the School Health Service for severely overweight or underweight students before participation in health programmes

• Inclement weather conditions (e.g. lightning and haze)

• Heat-related conditions (e.g. heat exhaustion and heat stroke) and other injuries

• Water-based activities

• Use of sports equipment

• National School Games

Emergency procedures

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for emergencies in both indoor and outdoor settings are reviewed and updated regularly.

Supervision requirements

A minimum of two adult supervisors is required for activities that involve close supervision (e.g. learning journeys and adventure training).

Outdoor and adventure activities

All outdoor adventure facilities and activities are endorsed by the Physical Sports and Outdoor Education Branch (PSOEB) and conducted in accordance with the relevant SOPs and guidelines.

Risk assessment and management system (RAMS)

RAMS is conducted prior to all activities by a team of staff, including service providers or local guides where applicable, who collectively possess adequate knowledge of the activity and environment involved.

Student insurance coverage

All students are insured under the NTUC Income Group Personal Accident Insurance Plan for Students.

Emergency evacuation drills

Emergency evacuation drills are conducted regularly to familiarise students with real-time emergency situations.

Staff training

School staff are trained and certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED use.

Community partnerships

The school actively collaborates with community partners to promote safety, security, and emergency preparedness:

• Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) – for fire evacuation drills and the Community Emergency Preparedness Programme (CEPP), which trains staff in basic First Aid, CPR, and firefighting skills.

• Singapore Police Force (SPF) – for SGSecure-related matters

• Singapore Road Safety Council, Traffic Police, Land Transport Authority, and Town Council – for road safety education and initiatives.