The Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education (OPASSE) represent the minimum (minimum does not refer to minimal safety standards but to the minimum requirements for safety standards that must be followed in school-based physical activities) standard for risk management practice for school boards in Ontario for curricular and intramural/club physical activities and interschool sports. They focus the attention of teachers, intramural supervisors and coaches on safe practices in order to minimize the element of risk. The OPASSE includes a concussion protocol to help prevent and identify suspected concussions and manage a student’s safe return to learning and physical activity.
The OPASSE are divided into Elementary (grades 1-8) and Secondary levels (grades 9-12) including:
- Curricular H&PE Activities
- Interschool Activities
- Intramural Activities
Please note that each school board is responsible for developing their own safety policy. Publicly funded school boards in Ontario may RAISE the standards if they wish, but they are strongly encouraged not to LOWER them. Ultimately, the primary responsibility for the safety of students rests with school boards and their employees. Therefore, we strongly recommend that teachers/coaches/intramural supervisors/school administrators check with their school board to ensure alignment with their school board policies.
