Posted By Chris Pope
Regarding boarding schools several documents refer to the need for procedures but none seem to indicate exactly how. It is really a matter for those with the pastoral responsibility to achieve as effective a roll call as possible. Every boarding house I am involved with (part of my workload is to advise independant schools) seems to go about this in their own way, utilising the house staff in the most effective way. In one house where there are both dorms and individual cubicles ("rooms) - pupils who demonstrate the ability to sleep through alarms are woken by monitors. I would always insist that an adult takes the roll however. Why not ask the local fire authority. Both Dorset and Somerset are keen to participate in drills to exercise their own readiness and to get to know the school layout. I guess you have looked at the Boarding Schools association, the DfES and the HSE "fire safety for employers" - although there is no specific guidance in them for your particular enquiry.