Trampolining Policy - Services for Education

BIRMINGHAM

TRAMPOLINING

POLICY

ISSUE DATE: JUNE 2007 REVISED AUGUST 2012 REVIEW DATE: AUGUST 2013

Learning & Assessment Service © Birmingham City Council

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Birmingham Trampolining Policy The policy on Trampolining Activities for Birmingham Schools is based on the advice and guidance contained in the Association for Physical Education (afPE) document entitled Safe Practice in Physical Education and Sport (2012). This was formally adopted by the Local Authority in 2005 as its basic policy statement on safety in Physical Education in Birmingham Schools. Because of the specialist nature of trampolining and potential high risk factors, schools should follow this policy and risk assessment in its entirety. All staff must be qualified to teach trampolining. Staff qualifications: Trampoline Teachers Award as from September 2008. The course now consists of two modules, Level 1 and Level 2. Level 1 consists of the basic skills (see syllabus content below); only on completion of this can applicants teach up to the level of skills in the syllabus in school. Level 1 is continually assessed during the course – all attendees will be given a certificate which will enable them to teach the skills covered. Level 1 has to be passed before attending Level 2. Candidates need to attend the whole module in order to pass. Level 1 is 12 hours course time (excluding breaks) i.e. 2 days. Level 2 now consists of the more advanced skills (see syllabus content below); only on completion of this can applicants teach up to the level of skills in the syllabus in school. To succeed at Level 2 applicants will take the British Gymnastics Trampoline Coach Level 2 written examination paper and be practically assessed during the course. Candidates need to attend the whole module in order to pass. Level 2 is 12 hours course time (excluding breaks) i.e. 2 days. Teachers who gain both Level 1 and Level 2 can transfer to the British Gymnastics Level 2 qualification in order to progress to the British Gymnastics Level 3 Award; further details are available from the British Gymnastics office. (See contacts section). Eligibility To be eligible for the course candidates must be a minimum of 21 years of age at the start of the course, fit to participate, with the ability to perform basic trampoline skills. Candidates must be one of the following: (a) Specialist trained PE teachers (this includes a specialist PE qualification gained abroad). (b) Trainee PE teachers who are undertaking the GTP, SCITT or “Teach First” programme or who are about to complete their PGCE course (i.e. in their final term).


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Students in either their third or fourth year of training to be PE teachers can also take the award. (c) Non PE specialists who are in possession of a current British Gymnastics Coach Award (Level 2) or higher in another discipline. N.B. Support assistants are not eligible for this course. Minimum Requirement – Teachers Award Level 1 (Basic Skills) School staff involved in the teaching or coaching of trampolining must have undertaken a course in their teacher training which is at the equivalent level of the British Gymnastics Teachers Award for Trampolining (Minimum requirement is the Level 1 - a 2 day course lasting a minimum of 12 hours and tutored by a British Gymnastics accredited coach/ teacher tutor). There are a range of companies offering one or two day courses for teaching trampolining. These can count towards a full teacher’s award but cannot replace them. Any equivalency awards must be agreed and formally approved by British Gymnastics. Teachers whose initial training did not involve a trampolining course must have attended a British Gymnastics Teachers Award for Trampolining in order to teach trampolining. (Minimum requirement is the Level 1 – a 2 day course lasting a minimum of 12 hours and tutored by a British Gymnastics accredited coach/ teacher tutor). Syllabus Content: Level 1 Welcome, registration, general information regarding course and British Gymnastics, eligibility Safety and Code of Practice including unfolding/folding of trampolines Warm up Basic kipping techniques Seat, back, hands and knees and front landings Shaped jumps Twisting Basic combinations (seat to front etc) Half twist to and from seat, back, front Swivel hips and Roller Simple sequence construction British Gymnastics Proficiency Award Scheme Mechanics (Body axes, centre of mass and balance, conservation of momentum, effect of change of shape when twisting, generating torque for controlling rotation)


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Advanced Skills – Teachers Award Level 2 Teachers wishing to teach their students more advanced skills must complete both the Level 1 and Level 2 Award. This would mean a total course time of a minimum of 24 hours (4 days). Anyone who completed their Teachers Award course prior to 2003 must also attend a Level 2 Teachers Award course if they wish to teach the more advanced skills as their original course would not have covered elements such as somersaults. Syllabus content: Level 2 Revision of Safety and Code of Practice also unfolding/folding All build up skills to front somersaults including piked shape All build up work for back somersaults including piked and straight shapes If available the use of overhead rig to support somersaults (This may be a contentious issue but many teachers have requested it) Shaped seat, back and front landings Aerial Twisting Full twists to and from seat, back and front landings Cradle, cat twist, half turntable Somersault mechanics Competitions, routine construction and tariff of skills Revision of theory prior to written examination Written examination (by arrangement this could be taken after the course if desired) There will be an element of revision of Level 1 topics throughout the course Refresher Courses – Required every 3 years There is a requirement for colleagues to attend an update course every 3 years to keep abreast of good practice and governing body recommendations. It is the schools responsibility to ensure that staff qualifications are updated and maintained through the appropriate course. Due to the new levelling structure the process for refresher courses is as follows: Staff that have completed a Level 1 Award only Those staff that completed and have now held the Level 1 qualification for 3 years must move on to complete the Level 2 award. This is effectively their refresher process. Once gaining the Level 2, their next refresher, in 3 years time (and every subsequent 3 year period), will be the one day ‘Refresher’ course. (See below)


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Staff who have completed both the Level 1 and Level 2 Awards Staff who currently hold their Level 2 will need to complete the one day ‘Refresher’ course every 3 years. Refresher course content The course acts as an upgrade for those that have completed the Level 2 as it includes skills that were not on the syllabus prior to the changes made by British Gymnastics in terms of the structure of the awards. The skills covered include basic body landings, full twist in and out of body landings, as well as all progressions leading up to the front and back somersault. The course will also will include tuck & pike front somersault and tuck, pike and straight back somersault. The course also provides you the opportunity to go through with the Tutor any skills and / or progressions which you may feel you need some help with. The Trampoline Refresher practical is continually assessed during the course and all attendees will be given an updated certificate which will enable them to teach the new updated skills covered. Candidates need to attend the whole module in order to pass. The Refresher course is a 6 hour course (excluding breaks) i.e. 1 day. Skills beyond Level 2 – Additional Module (New for Autumn 2012) In response to requests from schools, in particular with regard to students completing GCSE Physical Education, we are pleased to be able to introduce this additional module. If your pupils are capable of performing at a level which includes skills such as; tuck and pike barani, 3/4 Back s/s to front landing, 3/4 front s/s to back landing, back s/s to seat and rig work, then this is the additional module you will need in order to ensure that you are appropriately trained to support your pupils with these skills. Please contact the Learning and Assessment Service either by phone to: 0121 303 8188 or e-mail: [email protected] for further details of this and other available trampolining courses. The course can be made available if there is sufficient demand.


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Summary of Key Points: Please Note Full Policy and Risk Assessment in Appendix A Primary Schools: Because of the special nature of the activities and the potential risks, trampettes and trampolines are not normally used in Birmingham Primary Schools. They should only be used by teachers or coaches who have been specifically trained in the use of that particular equipment. Pupil Management: Pupils must be taught to observe strict standards of behaviour and be taught activities particularly with respect to moving, folding, unfolding, trampolines, mounting, jumping and dismounting with gradual step by step progression. With regard to the amount of time spent on the trampoline, it is recommended by AfPE that beginners should not be encouraged to ‘bounce’ for longer than 30 seconds in any one instance (Safe Practice in Physical Education and Sport (2012); 5.7.44 p.246). This is due to fatigue impairing performance, creating uncertainty leading to a lack of concentration which could result in an accident. Pupil to Bed Ratios: A suggested ratio may be 10 pupils to 1 bed and it is important that no other activities impinge on the session. Only one pupil should be allowed on a bed at a time. The trampoline in use should always be under supervision of the teacher, usually with a minimum of 4 capable and suitably positioned spotters and no activity commences before the teacher and spotters are in position. Teacher to Bed Ratios: The number of teachers to beds depends on what is being taught upon each bed. If 2 or more beds are being used a teacher/ coach needs to carry out a risk assessment for what is being taught. There should be no more than 2 beds being used per qualified teacher. A third bed could be used in the same session if supervised by a Level 1 assistant coach or a qualified teacher under the guidance of the lead teacher (Level 2 qualified). Spotters: Spotters should be appropriately trained and competent to undertake this role. In order to ascertain whether or not a spotter is ‘competent’ staff must consider both the strength and height of pupils. The Level 2 Teachers Award covers the use and development of spotters (further guidance is also given in the resource book) and staff leading the session have a responsibility to ensure spotters are appropriately trained. (Safe Practice in Physical Education and Sport (2012); CD Rom – Appendix 24 ‘Summary of British Gymnastics Advice on the Use of Spotting’)


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Equipment: The annual health and safety check of PE equipment must incorporate trampolines. They should never be left unsupervised while in use and should be locked when stored. At the request of the Legal Services department it would also be good practice to: • • •

Number or mark trampolines, if you have more than one. Record this number on any accident form when making an appropriate entry. This would make future identification of a particular trampoline involved in any incident much easier, particularly when it may be required several years later.

Clothing: Long sleeved tops and tracksuit bottoms are advisable to prevent friction burns, footwear with soft soles or socks are appropriate, no jewellery of any kind should be worn and no food of any form should be consumed while trampolining. End decks: All trampolines should have end decks when 360 degree rotation (feet to feet) or more (i.e. somersaulting) is being taught or practised. It also recommended that when non rotational skills are being taught, the same standards should apply. Matting: Trampolines must be matted at all times on both sides with a minimum of 20-25mm x 1m mats. Ideally and wherever possible the side matting should be 20-25mm x 2m. For high bouncers these mats should also be provided around and behind the end decks. Pupils should still be taught the appropriate procedures for a safe dismount so that the presence of the matting does not develop a false sense of security and lead to pupils dismounting unsafely (i.e. jumping) from the trampoline. NGB’s: National Governing Bodies issue directives concerning the safe management of trampolining activities. When a competition takes place under the remit of the NGB, any relevant directives should be considered and rules followed. However, NGB’s have no authoritative remit in the context of the National Curriculum.


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Contacts: Should you require further clarification on specific aspects of this policy please use the appropriate contact below: Specific safety issues: Frank Sparkes, Safety Manager 0121 303 2290 Curriculum issues: Kim Wheeler, Partnership Adviser - Physical Education, Learning & Assessment Service 0121 303 8176 Awards, competitions, training and courses: British Gymnastics – Awards Administrator Ann Parry, British Gymnastics, Ford Hall, Lilleshall National Sports Centre, Newport, Shropshire TF10 9NB Tel: 0845 1297129 Fax: 0845 1249089 [email protected] www.british-gymnastics.org

Professional guidance, including health & safety: Association for Physical Education (afPE) – Enquiries and membership details. Tel: 01905 855 584 Fax: 01905 855 594 Email: [email protected] Health & Safety Officer – Angela James


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APPENDIX A

TRAMPOLINING HEALTH & SAFETY CHECKLIST


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TRAMPOLINING HEALTH AND SAFETY CHECKLIST This checklist whilst not exhaustive will provide a guide to help audit health and safety in trampoline equipment on a regular basis. A recorded inspection of all trampoline equipment, by an authorised trampoline supplier/manufacturer should still take place annually. This checklist is designed to identify any faults between inspections that need acting upon and should be completed monthly. . The following checklist is intended as a guideline for the general inspection of trampolines by a qualified Teacher who has undergone their Teachers Award in trampolining. Please initial and date when completed. Any problems with the trampolines should be reported immediately and appropriate action taken. This information should also be recorded as evidence of action taken to ensure the safety and well being of all concerned. EQUIPMENT Beds

Springs

Leg Braces

Frame Pads

CHECK

DATE & INITIALS

Loose stitching or breaks in the webbing. Tears and areas of solid beds that are worn. Uneven tension shown by the lines on the bed not being straight. Ensure springs/cables are all in place with hooks pointing down and not over stretched. Check leg braces are fully inserted plus allen screws tight, rivets secure, hinge pins in place. Check gooseneck is not split. Check for tears, loose or missing clips/fasteners or soft areas at the joints.

Roller Stands

Check for freely running and swivelling castors, wheels and hooks.

Throw in Mats

Check for tears and other damage.


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Joints

Check for wear at the joints and that the frame is level all around.

Chains

Check chains for security and even adjustment.

Anchor Bars

Check for excessive wear due to movement or split anchor bars if plastic.

NB: Always check that the supporter is able to take the weight of and control the descent of the performer. Always check that the coach, pupil and person controlling the mat understand their roles and are ready.


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APPENDIX B

RISK ASSESSMENT FOR TRAMPOLINING


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Hazard

Persons Likely Control Measures or Groups Consequence Affected

Qualifications/ Pupils unauthorised use

Serious injury

Defective equipment

Major/Minor injury

Pupils

Learning and Assessment Service ©Birmingham City Council

Risk Action High Medium Low

• Correct and safe use supervised by appropriately qualified staff who have kept up to date with current practice. Minimum Qualifications: - BTF Coach Award - BG Teachers Award - Trampoline • Updates for qualified staff run by LA will provide opportunities for clarification over safe progressions and changes to agreed practice. • The trampoline should never be left up unsupervised while in use and should be locked when stored. • The annual health and safety check of PE equipment incorporates trampolines. • Regular functional checks when in use should also be made by staff before each session:  Joints - no excessive play/movement  Cables/springs - all in place, with hooks pointing downwards  Coverall Pads - in place covering frame and cables/springs  Allen Screws - all adjustments in place and secure  Rubber foot pads - in place and secure  Bed - no broken stitching / movement in weave • The position of cables/springs should be changed at August 2012

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frequent intervals, the central cables/springs being transferred to the ends of the frame and vice versa. This will prevent undue loss of tension in those subjected to greatest stress when in use. • Ceiling clearance needs to be appropriate to the bed and level of performance.

Unfolding & Pupils/ folding the Staff trampoline


Pulled muscle, • Pupils should be taught how to unfold / fold the Crushing trampoline, according to the instructions from the injury, manufacturer; care should be taken to address any Serious variations in different makes / sizes of trampoline. injury e.g. All Teachers should be clear of these differences. arm fracture (note: this should be carried out under direct supervision and is a highly disciplined activity. Pupils should never walk underneath the trampoline.) • Only pupils aware of their role should be involved in any stage of the process. Too many pupils involved may create unnecessary confusion.

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Unfolding & folding the trampoline (continued)


• Critical points in unfolding a trampoline:  People’s feet are kept well away from the wheels.  There is controlled rotation of the frame and the lower leg section is held firmly so that it does not crash to the floor.  When removing the wheels, ensure the supporting legs are fully extended.  The frame sections are opened with a firm continuous movement, with steady force applied and maintained to prevent them springing back.  All leg braces are properly fitted in place and securely housed.  Fingers, elbows and wrists are kept clear of all hinges. • Critical points in folding a trampoline:  The frame sections are closed using a firm, continuous movement with steady force applied and maintained to resist the tension of the springs or cables.  Fingers, elbows and wrists are kept clear of all hinges and not trapped under the lowered frame.  The wheels are securely housed and feet are kept clear.  The lower frame and leg sections are positioned inside the upper frame and leg sections as the trampoline is slowly rotated from the horizontal to the vertical. • Anyone involved in taking weight/lifting parts of the trampoline should be taught safe practice for the lifting of such weight. August 2012

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• When ready for use:  The trampoline should be well away from any overhead obstructions and there should be an overhead clearance of at least 5 metres from the floor to the lowest hanging object (some trampolines may require even greater clearance).  Removed wheel units are placed carefully in a safe position, clear of the working area (not under the trampoline).  The working space is clear and free from tripping hazard around and under the trampoline.


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Poor supervision/ support

Pupils

Inappropriate Pupils clothing/ footwear/ jewellery etc


Fall Serious injury

Minor injury

• The trampoline(s) in use should always be under the supervision of the teacher. • On a single trampoline, there should usually be a minimum of four spotters, who should be in a standing position on the floor, covering each side and end of the trampoline. They should be instructed in their role and be ready and physically capable of performing the task. • Some adjustment to this number may be necessary where a safety mattress is used to bridge between two trampolines placed end to end, or where free standing spotting platforms with safety mattresses are attached to the ends of the frame. • Pupils should mount the trampoline by stepping on to the frame and then the bed, not the cables/springs. Dismounting should be the reverse; no one should jump from the trampoline directly to the floor. • When trampolining long sleeved tops and tracksuit bottoms are advisable to prevent friction burns, when learning such activities as front drops. • Footwear with soft soles is appropriate as are socks which do not slip. Bare feet present risk of injury to toes and should not be allowed. • No one wearing jewellery of any sort should be allowed on the trampoline. • Eating or chewing whilst trampolining is forbidden.

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Performing

Pupils


Major/Minor • No performance should begin until the teacher and all injury spotters are in position. • The teacher should be aware of the special needs of individual pupils which may affect their ability to use the trampoline safely. • Pupils should jump in a position as near to the centre of the bed as possible, at a height no greater than that at which they can retain complete control of flight and height. • Beginners should only jump for short periods of around 30 seconds. This can gradually be extended, but should stop as soon as the pupil begins to tire or lose concentration. • Basic skills should be learned and consolidated separately before sequences and more complex skills are introduced.

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Performing (continued)

Supporting aids

Pupils

Major/Minor injury

Mounting/ Pupils Dismounting

Major/Minor injury


• Gradual ‘step by step’ progression over time should be fostered by the teacher, with the emphasis on basic skills, correct techniques and quality. The teacher must dissuade any pupil who inclines to over rapid progression and risk taking. • Normally only one pupil should be allowed on the trampoline at a time. Only an appropriately qualified teacher or coach should be on the bed at the same time as a pupil. • ‘Tag-on’ games, in which performers in turn add a movement to the sequence of a routine, are not recommended, where they may induce a performer to work beyond their ability. • Support for movements that require it must always be available to the performer until both the teacher and the performer are confident that the performer is safe enough to bounce ‘solo’. • Safety mattresses used for ‘throw in’ support can be pushed onto the trampoline between the performer and the bed during the learning of new movements, but only by or under the supervision of the teacher in charge. • Overhead rigs for the support of somersault and combined rotation and twisting movements, should only be used by appropriately qualified teachers for the moves they are qualified to teach. • Teachers should risk assess the need for use of mats or aids to enable pupils to mount and dismount the trampoline safely. • Where mats or aids are used for this purpose they must be fit for task and should not impede spotters

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from moving along the trampoline to fulfil their duties.


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