Vetting external organisations

What should schools consider when hosting external speakers or organisations?

Hosting external speakers can help pupils engage with a wide range of perspectives in a safe and structured way. Schools have a responsibility to ensure that any speakers or organisations using school premises are suitable, appropriately vetted and supervised, and that all safeguarding duties are met.

Safeguarding and statutory duties

When inviting speakers, schools should have regard to the following requirements and guidance:

• Keeping Children Safe in Education sets out statutory safeguarding requirements that apply to all visitors, including external speakers.
• Under the Prevent duty, schools should have clear protocols to ensure visiting speakers (whether invited by staff or pupils) are suitable and appropriately supervised.
• Department for Education advice on SMSC recommends that schools consider vetting speakers whose views may conflict with SMSC requirements and agreeing content in advance where appropriate.
• Ofsted safeguarding guidance expects schools to have policies and procedures for ensuring visitors, including external speakers, are suitable and monitored.
• Schools must forbid political indoctrination and ensure the balanced presentation of political issues, including during extra‑curricular activities.
• Schools that are charities should consider Charity Commission guidance on managing risks associated with hosting speakers.
• Teaching misconduct guidance makes clear that staff may face prohibition if they deliberately expose pupils to actions that undermine fundamental British values, including promoting extremist views.

Hosting speakers during and outside school hours

The same principles apply whether speakers are invited during the school day or organisations use school premises outside school hours, particularly if pupils are likely to attend. Schools are encouraged to:

• Have a clear policy on hosting speakers and lettings, setting expectations that align with the school’s ethos and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Consider requiring speakers or organisations to sign up to a code of conduct.
• Use policies to help justify decisions to refuse speakers where there are concerns.
• Ensure any speakers do not undermine community cohesion duties.
• Be clear about land ownership or restrictions, which may limit how premises can be used.
• Comply with the public sector equality duty and avoid unlawful discrimination.

Schools that outsource lettings to third parties should ensure those providers carry out appropriate vetting in line with the school’s policy.

Visits outside the school

Educational visits provide valuable learning opportunities but require careful consideration of health and safety, alongside safeguarding and Prevent responsibilities. Schools should consider whether any visits, speakers or events pose a risk of radicalising learners into supporting terrorism.

Find full advice on hosting speakers here.

Useful links:

• Keeping children safe in education
• Protecting children from radicalisation: the Prevent duty
• Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills settings
• Hosting Speakers on School Premises Guidance