Risk Management at RMS
At Richmond Montessori School (RMS), the well-being of our community is at the heart of everything we do. We are deeply committed to fostering a culture of psychological and physical safety that supports every member of our school in an environment of trust, care, and responsibility. Ongoing reflection, review, and improvement of our risk management practices is inherent in the work we do as Montessorians to prepare ourselves and our environment for students.
Commitment to Safety & Well-Being
At RMS, we operate with intentionality and purpose. Based on our mission to inspire academic excellence and nurture human potential, we recognize that safety is foundational: without trust, security, and well-being, learning and growth cannot flourish. Our safety practices aim to reduce fear, build confidence, and promote resilience across the community.
Here are a few of the ways we incorporate risk management into the prepared environment at the heart of the Montessori experience:
A Culture of Safety, Together
- Safety is a living commitment woven into the daily life of our school. At RMS, every person plays a role in risk management.
- The Head of School, in partnership with the Board of Trustees, and the Safety and Security Advisory Committee, leads and oversees our risk management framework.
- Faculty, staff, students, parents, and community partners lend support to the Head, Board, and Committee as we collaboratively identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks.
- We foster open communication so that everyone in our community is able to report concerns and expect responsive action.
- Our approach is grounded in our values, so that our safety practices reinforce the trust, authenticity, and respect that is foundational in our school’s culture.
Proactive Risk Assessments
We conduct regular, systematic reviews of our facilities, programs, and operations to identify potential hazards (e.g. fire safety, playground equipment, security, environmental concerns, emergency protocols). We assess both physical and non-physical risks — from slips and trips to emotional safety, well-being, and wellness.
Preventive Policies & Procedures
We are developing clear policies to guide everything from emergency response, visitor access, health and illness protocols, facility maintenance, and incident reporting. Safety standards are aligned with best practices in independent education, Montessori environments and adhere to regulatory requirements. We plan to regularly update policies in light of new information, changing conditions, and feedback from our community.
Trainings, Drills, and Awareness
All faculty and staff receive ongoing training in health, safety, first aid, emergency response, and child protection. We also invest in conferences and outside training to stay up-to-date with risk management best practices. We hold regular drills (fire, lockdown, severe weather, etc.) in age-appropriate ways, emphasizing calm communication and emotional reassurance, helping children feel capable rather than fearful, and giving students confidence in the event of an emergency. We embed safety language and awareness into our classrooms and community culture — teaching children, in developmentally appropriate ways, how to be responsible for themselves and others.
Review and Continuous Improvement
RMS maintains systems for reporting, logging, and reviewing incidents — no matter how small — so we can learn, adapt, and improve. As a school accredited by both AMS and VAIS, we align our safety practices with standards of excellence. We consult with local authorities, safety experts, and risk management professionals to ensure robust protocols and compliance. We also conduct periodic audits and inspections of the campus, equipment, and systems (e.g. building safety, playgrounds, security systems).We believe ongoing dialogue builds trust and psychological security, reinforcing that safety includes how people feel, not just how systems function. To that end, we solicit feedback from all community members (students, staff, parents) about any concerns or suggestions, and respond transparently and promptly.
