Health and safety guidance has been published for schools on the wearing of jewellery and earrings during PE and sporting activities.
The guidance supports consistent and safe practice across PE lessons, competitions and extracurricular sport, and reflects current national advice from the Association for Physical Education.
Why this guidance has been issued
Jewellery, particularly earrings, continues to be a cause of injury in PE and sport. The aim is to help schools prevent avoidable injuries while ensuring pupils are treated fairly and inclusively. The guidance:
• explains why jewellery presents a foreseeable risk during physical activity
• clarifies the council’s position on the taping of earrings
• provides practical advice for managing issues such as newly pierced ears
• supports schools to apply rules consistently while being sensitive to religious and cultural considerations
What schools are expected to do
Schools are expected to:
• require all jewellery to be removed before PE and sporting activities
• avoid taping earrings, as this does not adequately control the risk
• use the EEC risk assessment templates to clearly identify jewellery as a hazard and set out appropriate control measures
• ensure arrangements apply consistently across lessons, clubs and events, including those delivered by external coaches
Where earrings cannot be removed, pupils should be provided with suitable non‑physical roles during the activity.
Clear messages for parents and carers
The guidance also sets out what parents and carers should be told, including:
• jewellery should be removed at home before school on PE days
• schools cannot accept disclaimers or waivers relating to jewellery injuries
• piercing ears at the start of the summer holiday is recommended to allow healing time
Accessing the guidance
The guidance is published as Info Sheet 85 and is available within the Schools Health and Safety Guidance on the Somerset Council website. Schools are encouraged to review this guidance, update local policies if required, and share expectations clearly with staff, parents and pupils.
