The risk protection arrangement (RPA) for schools
How schools can join the risk protection arrangement (RPA) instead of commercial insurance, what it covers and where they can get free professional advice
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academies-risk-protection-arrangement-rpa
How schools can join the risk protection arrangement (RPA) instead of commercial insurance, what it covers and where they can get free professional advice
Contents
Academies and local authority maintained schools can get the cover they need and save money by joining the risk protection arrangement (RPA), provided by industry professionals on behalf of the Department for Education.
How to join
Academies
All academies can join, including free schools and PFI academies. All you need is your:
- unique reference number (URN), you can find it on get information about schools
- name
- email address
- phone number
Join the risk protection arrangement
You’ll be covered as soon as you complete the form. We’ll renew your membership every year, so there’s less admin for you.
If you’re converting to an academy or setting up a free school, we’ll sign you up automatically but you can opt out if you want.
Local authority maintained schools
Local authority maintained schools will be able to join the RPA using our online portal from mid-March.
Once you’ve joined, your cover will start from 1 April.
Church schools: additional information
If a church organisation allows your school to occupy their property then under the rules those trustees:
- are covered for losses and liabilities they may incur through you occupying their property
- can make claims on your behalf for those losses and liabilities
- can have those claims paid directly to them
- can use the complaints and arbitration procedures about those claims
Cost
RPA costs:
- £18 for per pupil, per year
- £18 per place, per year for special and alternative provision academies, special schools and pupil referral units
For academies, this covers you for the academic year (1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020).
For local authority maintained schools, this covers you for the financial year (1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021).
What it covers
This table summarises what RPA covers.
You should also read the membership rules for full details of your cover.
| Type of risk | Limit |
|---|---|
| Material damage | Reinstatement value of the property |
| Business interruption | £10 million any one loss |
| Employers’ liability | Unlimited |
| Third party liability | Unlimited |
| Governors’ liability | £10 million any one loss and any one membership year |
| Professional indemnity | Unlimited |
| Employee and third party dishonesty | £500,000 |
| Money | Various, including cash on premises or in transit £5,000 |
| Personal accident | Death and capital benefits £100,000 |
| United Kingdom travel | Baggage and money £2,000 per person. Cancellation £1,000 per person |
| Overseas travel including winter sports | Includes: baggage £2,000 in total per person (inner limits apply), money £750 per person, medical expenses £10,000,000, cancellation £4,000 per person. Check the full details of your cover for more information. |
| Legal expenses | £100,000 any one loss and any one membership year |
| Cultural assets | £10,000 on any one cultural asset or £250,000 any one multiple loss |
Full details of your cover
These membership rules detail the full cover and provision of RPA.
- Academy trusts: RPA membership rules (PDF, 1MB, 110 pages)
- Church academies: RPA membership rules (PDF, 1MB, 106 pages)
- Local authority maintained community schools: RPA membership rules (PDF, 551KB, 107 pages)
- Voluntary aided, foundation and foundation special schools: RPA membership rules (PDF, 520KB, 103 pages)
- Voluntary controlled schools: RPA membership rules (PDF, 531KB, 103 pages)
Arrange additional cover
Academies
If there’s something you need cover for that’s not included in the RPA, you can get it from Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC). They also offer a legal services helpline. You’re free to choose a different provider if you want.
The RPA does not cover statutory inspections, often known as engineering inspections. By law, you must make sure that statutory inspections are done. You can procure this through Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC), or another insurer or body with authorisation to carry out these inspections.
Local authority maintained schools
For additional cover and statutory inspections, contact your local authority insurance manager first.
Free advice and training
On joining you’ll get free risk management advice, training and best practice guidance from Willis Towers Watson.
Contact them if you need advice about the arrangement and the rules:
Email RPAAdvice@willis.com
Phone 0117 9769 361
Make a claim
Topmark Claims Management Ltd handle claims.
Emergencies and urgent incidents (excluding overseas travel)
Email rpa@topmarkcms.com
Phone 03300 585566
Overseas travel emergencies and incident claims
Phone 020 3475 5031
General queries
Academies
Contact us if you have any questions, including about opting in or opting out. academies.RPA@education.gov.uk
Local authority maintained schools
Contact us if you have any questions, including about opting in or opting out. LAMS.RPA@education.gov.uk