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Practical subjects are wonderfully hands-on, creative and dynamic. They are also environments where small decisions, repeated every day, make a huge difference to safety, learning and wellbeing. In design and technology, food, and art & design, health and safety is not a once-a-year event or a policy that lives in a ring binder. It is something that lives in routines, habits, conversations, and professional judgement.
At CLEAPSS, we have long supported teachers and technicians through detailed guidance, risk assessments, training and bespoke advice. But we also know that the reality of school life is busy, unpredictable and often fragmented. Even the most committed professionals rarely have time to sit down and read long documents regularly. This insight led us to think differently about how we share expertise.
This is why we have launched our daily health and safety tips on Instagram, accompanied by our new mascot, Ollie the Owl.
Who is Ollie?
Ollie was created to be a friendly, observant guide through the world of practical safety. Owls are traditionally associated with wisdom, attentiveness and care. Ollie embodies these qualities without being formal, intimidating or preachy. He is not there to ‘catch people out’ but to gently notice, nudge and remind.
In many ways, Ollie represents the best of practical subject culture: thoughtful, skilled, reflective and caring about both people and processes. His presence helps keep the tone warm, human and supportive, which is exactly how we believe health and safety should feel.
What are the daily tips?
Each weekday, Ollie shares a short, practical tip linked to the management of D&T workshops, food rooms and art studios. These are intentionally bite-sized and highly relevant to real classrooms.
Some tips focus on routines, such as checking isolators before using machinery, keeping walkways clear, or storing materials safely. Others highlight management issues like maintenance schedules, safe waste disposal, ventilation, or inclusive practices that support learners with SEND.
The aim is not to overwhelm, but to build awareness over time.
Low-stakes CPD that works for everyone
We see this initiative as a form of low-stakes CPD.
Not every school has the budget or staffing capacity for frequent external training. Not every colleague feels confident attending formal courses, especially if they are new to a subject or role. And not everyone has time to read lengthy documents after a full teaching day.
Daily tips meet people where they already are. A 10–20 second glance at a post can spark reflection, reassurance, or a useful conversation in a department. Over time, these small moments of engagement add up to meaningful professional learning.
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