CLEAPSS Supporting practical science and technology
CLEAPSS Biology
Biology at CLEAPSS –present fascinating, future exciting!

Biology has been developing very rapidly over the last 40 years, and this is increasingly being reflected in the content of biology lessons.

To support these developments CLEAPSS has been working on a range of practicals, guidance and training courses to enable schools to meet the demands of this new curriculum in safe, engaging and innovative ways. We are also on hand to answer any queries you may have regarding Health Safety aspects of biology practical, whether new or old.

Measuring photosynthesis using a mobile phone
For microbiology resources please see our microbiology page

Latest news from CLEAPSS..
Supply of chemicals - New Regulations

The regulations for supplying explosives precursors and poisons was updated on 27th September 2023 and came into force on 1st October. These put in place new requirements on the supply of certain chemicals which include the following commonly used in schools:

Explosives precursors: acetone, aluminium powders, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen peroxide, sulfur and sulfuric acid.

Poisons: ammonia, phenols, sodium hydroxide, sodium nitrite and sodium hypochlorite solutions. 

The regulations state that businesses and professional users should be verified by the supplier every time a new purchase is made of these regulated chemicals. 

 Where they are being supplied frequently or on a routine basis to the same professional user or business, verification should occur every 18 months or whenever there is a change or deviation from normal purchasing patterns. This is something suppliers can choose to do, but given schools don’t generally make frequent purchases of these chemicals, it is likely that the information will be required for each order.

The person making the sale (the supplier) must obtain the following from the business customer (i.e. the school):

<!--the business customer’s name and address. If the business customer is not an individual, the name of an individual who is authorised on behalf of the business customer should be recorded;

<!--a form of photographic identification of the business customer or, if the business customer is not an individual, of the individual making the purchase; this could be a school photo ID card

<!--a statement of the nature of the business customer’s trade, business or profession, or of the public function that the business customer performs; and the business customer’s VAT registration number, if the business customer has such a number

Your school will have to decide who is authorised on behalf of the business to make the purchase (the name on the order must match the individual). For schools it is most likely to be a technician, head of science or finance manager.

There is no licence which applies to these regulations, so there is nothing schools will need to apply for.

This information should be provided when requested by the company making the sale, there is no need to provide it in advance.

Further details including a list of the regulated substances and concentration thresholds can be found in the Explosives precursors and poisons: general guidance on the government website  

New edition of CLEAPSS guide GL016
We have just updated CLEAPSS Guide GL016 - Technical justification showing how L93 risk assessments meet the suitable and sufficient requirements of the Approved Code of Practice L121.

This revised version contains an additional table in Appendix 1 - that lists the dose rates at a range of distances for all the sources currently listed in L093.

The HSE have indicated that they will expect the RPS (schools) to have a copy this version and be aware of the dose rates for the sources in their school.
Heads of Science Training
Are you a head of science / subject / dept ? 

Not sure on how H&S law applies to you and your team ?

Then our H&S Course for HoD is ideal for you, find all the details here
CLEAPSS at the ASE Conference Northampton 2024
We were pleased to be returning to the ASE Conference in 2024 in Northampton.

Find our workshop details here.

Book your place with the ASE to join us here.


Teachers Risk Assessments
We have created a short video which covers the basics of how teachers should be manging risks in their practical lessons.

Watch it here and view the other related supporting guides.
Biology Resources
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Free resource Click to download Document.
A portfolio of designs of school science laboratories, by Andy Piggott for the ASE

Members only resource Click to download Document.
This leaflet is intended to give brief details only of the major manufacturers and suppliers of electronic balances suitable for use in science within secondary schools and colleges.

Members only resource Click to download Document.
Briefly lists all CLEAPSS documents relevant to school microbiology.

Members only resource Click to download Document.
Outlines how to prepare for pouring, pouring and storing agar plates, and making slopes.

Members only resource Click to download Document.
Outlines the work that science technicians do, the tasks which they should not, ideally, be given, and provides a pointer to the number of technicians needed in a department and to management issues w.. more

Members only resource Click to download Document.
This includes all the pictograms required by the Globally Harmonised System for chemical hazard labelling. A selection of large (A4) and small sized pictures for printing and use in schools

Members only resource Click to download Document.
A straightforward practical activity investigating how antimicrobial chemicals affect microbial growth on agar plates.

Members only resource Click to download Document.
Straightforward advice on how to make sure your practical lessons work as you intend. Includes planning and preparing the activity, managing students, timing and equipment, and clearing away. Also inc.. more

Free resource Click to view on YouTube
This video shows the correct way to sterilise an inoculation loop by flaming.

Members only resource Click to download Document.
This is a customisable letter for schools to send to parents to request permission in advance of students taking a small sample of their own blood.

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