Governors and the DfE Risk Protection Arrangement
A working guide for school and trust governors on what the Risk Protection Arrangement covers, what governing bodies are responsible for, and how to act when something goes wrong.
Why governors need to understand the arrangement
Governing bodies carry legal and financial responsibility for their school or trust. The DfE Risk Protection Arrangement, usually called RPA, is a government-backed scheme that gives member schools and academy trusts a way to protect themselves against many of the losses and liabilities they face day to day.
Governors do not need to become claims handlers. They do need to know what the scheme covers, how membership is recorded, and which decisions stay with the governing body. This page sets out those points in plain terms so that boards can ask the right questions at meetings and keep their records in order.
Your role in oversight
The board sets the risk appetite of the institution, reviews incident reports and confirms that staff follow agreed procedures. Regular reporting to the board keeps risk on the agenda rather than leaving it to a single officer.
Key facts for governing bodies
- Membership of the arrangement is confirmed through the membership pack issued by the RPA.
- Cover sits alongside, not instead of, the duties the governing body already holds under employment and health and safety law.
- Losses should be reported promptly, as delays can affect how a claim is assessed.
- Governors should keep a record of risk discussions and decisions taken at board level.
- Questions about eligibility or scope should be put to the RPA before a loss occurs, not after.
What happens after an incident
Step 1
Record the incident
Note the date, the people involved, what was lost or damaged and the immediate action taken. Clear early records make every later step easier.
Step 2
Inform the headteacher or chief executive
The senior leader should be told at once so that any safeguarding or serious incident duties can be assessed and recorded.
Step 3
Report to the arrangement
Contact the RPA with the details you have gathered. Keep copies of everything sent and received.
Step 4
Review with the board
Once the matter is settled, the governing body should consider what caused it and whether controls need to change.
Property and premises
Buildings, grounds and equipment are often the largest exposure a school carries. Governors should ask for a current asset list and an annual check that the list matches what is on site.
People, pupils and visits
Staff, pupils and visitors all bring risk into the setting. Trips, sports and personal injury claims each follow their own route, and governors should know which route applies.
Personal accident cover and travel cover are set out separately.
Keeping the board informed
Governors who meet the arrangement's requirements from the outset avoid many of the problems that arise when a claim is made without records. Use the membership pack as a checklist for your next full governing body meeting, and bring any open questions to the RPA contact team.
Read the membership pack, check the frequently asked questions, or contact the team with a specific query.
Serious incidents
Some incidents must be escalated beyond the normal claims route. Governors should know which events count as serious and who must be told, so that the response is not delayed while people search for the right form.