ABSTRACT
This chapter will address first, the management of safe practice in the primary school with specific attention to the responsibilities of the class teacher as determined by legislation and case law. Second, it will examine aspects of the litigation process in order to help teachers understand negligence and the role of the expert witness. Finally, two different yet complementary approaches used by teachers to create a safe and effective learning environment for pupils are considered: the management of risk and negligence avoidance (Raymond and Thomas, 1996). As the discussion unfolds, a number of important issues emerge that need to be considered during curriculum planning, classroom practice and the provision of teachers’ professional development.
