Gateshead Cheder school has been fined £30,000 after taking its students on a hike up Helvellyn, despite ice and snow warnings.
The school took a group of 13 teenage boys up Helvellyn in the Lake District despite ice and snow warnings. They were led by a school teacher and teaching assistant, who had no formal qualifications or experience and relied on a smartphone to get them up the mountain. Newcastle Magistrate’s Court heard some boys were in school shoes and trainers.
The ill-prepared staff and students were rescued by the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team after losing their way and landing on steep terrain. One student suffered injuries after falling several metres on ice and another went missing but was eventually found by a member of the public.
The school pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations after the incident, which took place in March 2020. It was fined £30,000 following a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). It was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £181 and pay costs of £4,547.
Stephen Garner of the HSE said: "On this occasion, none of the party came to serious harm, however, the school was aware of the weather and ground conditions, but decided to proceed without the appropriate planning, equipment, or suitably trained leaders.
"Those taking part in the trek that day were placed in serious danger and there was a clear failing by the school to adopt sensible precautions to ensure their safety.”
The school has now made a number of improvements to its health and safety policy and practice, including a thorough review of risk assessment policies and procedures.
