Building Cross-Functional Leadership Teams: Part One
15th October 2026
When we think about risk, attention often goes straight to obvious hazards, but some of the most common incidents happen in the everyday spaces that feel too familiar to be dangerous
When people think about high-risk zones in school buildings, attention usually turns straight to the obvious areas: electrical equipment, flammable materials, heavy equipment. However, some of the most common incidents do not happen in these “expected” danger zones.
Instead, they occur in spaces that feel familiar, routine and almost invisible in day-to-day school operations. In many cases, it is the areas staff and pupils move through every day without thinking about them at all that present some of the greatest hidden risks.
Stairwells and corridors are some of the most frequently used parts of any school building, yet they are often treated as low risk simply because they are so familiar. Unlike specialist equipment which may only be used in specific lessons, stairs and corridors are in constant daily use. We are all aware of the risks of slips and trips, yet this awareness can become almost subconscious. Poor lighting, worn steps, obstructed handrails or even minor changes in flooring can all increase the risk of an accident significantly. Add in distractions such as mobile phones, carrying books or rushing between lessons, and the potential for accidents increases further.
Stairwells and corridors are transition spaces, meaning pupils and staff are rarely fully focused on the act of using them. This lack of attention, combined with time pressure between lessons, makes them particularly vulnerable environments.
Delivery and unloading areas present a very different type of risk in schools. Unlike controlled internal environments, these spaces often involve multiple moving parts, external suppliers, vehicles and time pressure all at once. One of the biggest challenges in these zones is inconsistency. Different drivers, different suppliers and varying delivery schedules mean procedures are not always followed in the same way.
Without clear segregation of pedestrian and vehicle routes, or well-defined unloading protocols, the risk of collision or manual handling injury increases significantly.
High-traffic areas such as corridors, dining halls and reception spaces are where pupils and staff are constantly moving, multitasking and transitioning between activities. That combination creates conditions where distractions are common and awareness is often reduced. Unlike more controlled environments, high-traffic areas require constant housekeeping rather than periodic checks. Small issues escalate quickly when large numbers of people pass through the same space repeatedly throughout the day.
The common thread across stairwells, delivery points and high-traffic areas is not machinery or obvious danger, but routine. These are spaces that feel safe because they are familiar, yet familiarity often leads to reduced awareness.
From a practical management perspective, this means schools benefit from treating these areas as actively managed risk environments rather than passive infrastructure. Equally important is reinforcing behavioural expectations during peak movement times, as many incidents are linked to rushing rather than environmental factors.
Many incidents are not the result of unusual events, but of ordinary movement through ordinary spaces and the most effective improvements often come not from focusing only on visible risk areas, but from re-evaluating the everyday environments that are used constantly.
Holly is the managing editor of Education Executive, working closely with the team and contributors to bring fresh, varied and relevant content to our magazines, wraps and digital platforms. She joined the team in 2023, having spent several years working in publishing, following an earlier career in training, development and coaching across a range of sectors. Holly is passionate about championing school and trust business professionals and ensuring the role receives the platform and recognition it deserves.
