Welcome to the new CLEAPSS Science Website
What is CLEAPSS
CLEAPSS resources give teachers ideas for exciting and engaging practical activities that fire pupils'
imaginations and then, unlike many other sources of ideas, go on to show teachers and technicians in
detail how to translate the ideas into safe and exciting experiences in the classroom.
CLEAPSS advice and documentation is recognised by the Health and Safety Executive and the Department for Education..
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Latest news from CLEAPSS..
Hot Weather - Chemicals
If temperature is high only during the day and fall overnight, this is unlikely to present a significant issue. Chemical stores with effective ventilation normally manage hot weather better than may be imagined.
However, if the temperature in your store room stays above 28’c for 24hrs a day, and for a week or longer then consider these additional controls.
• Keep the store as cool as possible. Increase ventilation when possible and ensure the ventilation system is operating correctly. A minimum ventilation rate of 2 air changes per hour, maintained 24 hours a day, with make-up air at low level and extraction at high level, is generally sufficient to remove hazardous fumes and maintain a consistent temperature. If the store frequently becomes hot, the ventilation system may be inadequate.
• If the store has windows, install blinds and keep chemicals out of direct sunlight. Grey reflective blinds are recommended, as they help reduce heat gain. Black blinds are not suitable because they absorb heat and can increase room temperatures.
• Use ice cube bags or reusable freezer blocks as temporary cooling packs. Where necessary, position them at the bottom of the storage cabinet, ensuring that the chemical container either rests on the cooling packs or is surrounded by them within the secondary containment.
• Take care when entering the store after it has been unattended for a period of time, particularly following hot weather.
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For further information.
Calling all Biologists!
CLEAPSS Guide GL499 – DIY Centrifuge provides a complete, school ready design for a 12,000 RPM centrifuge with interlock, USB power and capacity for standard 1.5 ml tubes. Find it in What's New
The guide includes STL files for 3D printing the enclosure, rotor and handle, a DXF file for laser cutting the acrylic lid, a detailed components list, circuit diagram and fully illustrated assembly procedure. (Additional files found under GL499a)
The Science Teaching Survey 2026
The Science Teaching Survey 2026 is open! If you work in education, you know the challenges better than anyone – so we want to hear directly from you.
Take 15 minutes to complete the survey. Your answers will tell us what to focus on
Product Recalls
CLEAPSS is aware of an issue of Asbestos being present in a Hobbycraft and other manufacturers sand based products.
These are commercially available products rather than a specialist school science/DT product. However, we are aware that some schools may have these products.
If you do have these products you should follow the advice given in the below link.
Copper Sulfate
CLEAPSS has recently received multiple Helplines about incidents with copper sulfate.
This includes situations where pupils are deliberately consuming Copper Sulfate, please ensure you enforce the no eating / drinking rules in your labs and also are aware of how to deal with emergencies.
E-cards : How to deal with lab emergencies
No eating or drinking guidance
Please also review the updated Hazcard before using copper sulfate.
2025 Hazcard updates includes and update to the safety advice for copper sulfate. Hazcard 027C - Copper Sulfate
A quick and safe method for preparing hydrated copper sulfate crystals and beautiful blue crystals may be obtained within 30 minutes.
What's new..
All new documents..
GL 503 - Lone working in the science department
A guide to assist with writing a policy on lone working in the science department
(9 Jun 2026)
L258 - Improving technicians conditions.
Describes the skills and expertise that technicians often bring to their job, and how schools can make the best use of these by providing job satisfaction, including an adequate salary.
(26 May 2026)
GL384 – Hosting primary aged children in a secondary lab
Information about younger children in lab and advice on how to go about risk assessing them.
(5 May 2026)
PP180 - Transition activity: Measuring volume, mass and force
A series of simple yet engaging activities to support visiting children to become familiar with commonly used measuring equipment.
(5 May 2026)
RPA002a - RPO report/checklist templates
Word files of the templates in the Appendix of RPA002.
(1 May 2026)