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Gymnastics and trampolining

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Guideline review date: 28 October 2021​

​This guideline is provided to support schools in implementing the managing risks in school curriculum activities procedure.

The CARA planner (DOCX, 600KB) must be used for the specific school context in conjunction with this guideline considering additional risks, hazards and controls and including environmental, facility, equipment and student considerations

For activities beyond the scope of this guideline, complete a CARA record using the CARA generic template (DOCX, 488KB).

Activity scope

This guideline relates to student participation in gymnastics including the disciplines of artistic, rhythmic, acrobatic, aerobic, trampoline gymnastics and cheerleading as an activity to support curriculum delivery.

Note: This activity does not ​include excursions to indoor trampoline parks/venues nor the therapeutic use of trampolines.

Depending on the scope of this activity, other risk assessments may be required when planning. Curriculum activities encompassing more than one CARA guideline must comply with the requirements of all CARA guidelines appropriate to the activity.

For activities conducted at a non-Department of Education venue, and/or when engaging external expertise, request written risk assessment advice and attach it to this CARA record.

For activities conducted off-site, schools must comply with the school excursions procedure.​

For activities conducted as part of representative school sport programs, schools should consult with Queensland School Sport.​​​

Risk level​​​

Medium risk
Gymnastics and trampolining activities involving fundamental movement patterns requiring minimal core stability, weight-bearing ability and/or coordination with or without apparatus under 40cm.
High risk
Gymnastics activities and trampolining activities involving advanced movement patterns requiring core stability, weight-bearing ability and control (including controlled inversion) with or without apparatus over 40cm.​
Extreme risk
Gymnastic activities involving complex movement patterns requiring significant core stability, weight-bearing ability and control (including full flight skills with inversion) with or without apparatus above 40cm​.​

Activity requirements

If any requirement cannot be met, the activity must not occur.

If any other safety recommendation cannot be met, modify the activity (or elements of it) and/or identify and use the hierarchy of controls to implement alternative control measures to meet or exceed the minimum safety standard.

Competition rules and procedures with additional or more stringent safety requirements take precedence.​

All risk levels​

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Supervision

Principals make final supervision decisions for the activity. Sufficient adult supervision must be provided to manage the activity safely (including emergency situations).

For activities with students with a medical condition or disability that may impact on safety during the activity, consultation with parents is required prior to allocating supervision to determine the impact of students’ medical condition or disability on safety during the activity.

The number of adult supervisors required to fulfil emergency and supervision roles must consider the nature of the activity, students’ ages, abilities and specialised learning, access and/or health needs.

Before the activity, all adult supervisors must be familiar with the contents of the CARA record.

During the activity, all adult supervisors:

  • must be readily identifiable
  • must closely monitor students with health support needs
  • must comply with control measures from the CARA record and adapt as hazards arise
  • must suspend the activity if the conditions become unfavourable (e.g. overcrowding).

If circuit stations are being used, the adult supervisor must be positioned at the station with highest risk while still maintaining supervision of all participants and stations. If multiple stations are considered to be high or extreme risk, an adult supervisor must be positioned at each risk point.

For all trampoline gymnastics activities, a competent spotter must be positioned at each side of the trampoline.

High and extreme risk activities:

  • Closely supervise students during participation.

Supervisor qualifications

Principals make final decisions in determining supervisor capability (competence, relevance and currency) and are responsible for encouraging and enabling school-based activity supervisors to raise their qualifications to improve safety standards.

All adult supervisors must comply with the working with children authority—blue cards procedure and be able to identify, and respond to, risks or hazards that may emerge during the activity.

A registered teacher must be appointed to maintain overall responsibility for the activity.

For medium risk activities:

At least one adult supervisor is required to be:

  • a registered teacher with competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching the gymnastics activity; or
  • an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with current accreditation from Gymnastics Queensland as an intermediate coach or similar.

For high risk activities:

At least one adult supervisor is required to be:

  • a registered teacher with qualifications in Physical Education (or equivalent demonstrated capability) and competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching high risk gymnastics activities (e.g. successful completion of a LaunchPad workshop conducted by Gymnastics Australia); or
  • an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with current accreditation from Gymnastics Queensland as an intermediate coach in the specific Gymsport or similar.

For extreme risk activities:

At least one adult supervisor is required to be:

  • a registered teacher, or an adult supervisor working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with current accreditation from Gymnastics Queensland as an advanced coach in the specific Gymsport or similar.

Facilities and equipment

The qualified adult supervisor of the activity, in consultation with the principal, determines the requirements for facilities and equipment appropriate to the local context.

Location must be suitable for the activity being undertaken, including sufficient space (considering heights, pathways, apparatus arrangements and number of students), adequate lighting and ventilation to ensure safe participation and that safety rules and procedures can be followed.

Participants must wear personal protective equipment appropriate to the activity (e.g. enclosed footwear).

Equipment must be sized to match the ability and strength of students.

Consider using a whistle for command signalling.

All equipment must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

The surface must be even, level, firm and non-slip (e.g. wooden sprung floor or flat grassed area).

Additionally, for all high and extreme risk activities:

  • Apparatus and matting compliant with International Gymnastics Federation’s Apparatus Norms (see Division II) for the gymnastics activity.
  • Each student must provide their own towel.
  • Equipment hygiene must be maintained (e.g. using paper towels and antiseptic spray or antiseptic wipes after each participant).

Additionally, for all trampoline gymnastics activities:

  • Overhead clearance of 8 metres or higher, with 2 metres clear space on all sides.
  • Trampolines sized 4.5 metres x 2.7 metres (minimum) with a woven 2-string bed.
  • Safety platforms with landing mats and flyaways on the ends of the trampoline.
  • Safety mats cover the floor at the sides of the trampoline and behind the safety platforms.
  • Safety pads secured to cover the frame and springs.


Common hazards and controls

Further to those listed, include any additional hazards and control measures considering the local context of the activity.

Environmental hazards Control measures

Biological material
Body fluids (e.g. blood, saliva, sweat)

Manage bodily substances (e.g. blood) and open wounds before, during and after the activity.

Consult infection control guidelines and Queensland Health's exclusion periods for infectious conditions poster for hygienic practices and first aid.

Follow appropriate cleaning and hygiene management practices when using shared equipment (Departmental staff search "cleaning advice for shared equipment" in OnePortal).

Environmental conditions
Weather, sun, humidity

The school's sun safety strategy must be followed.

Assess weather (Bureau of Meteorology) and environmental conditions prior to participating outside.

Follow the managing excessive heat in schools guidelines when participating in very hot or extreme heat conditions.

Ensure drink breaks occur regularly. Make water available for individual participants between drink breaks.

Dry equipment (including mats) if conditions cause dampness.
Facilities and equipment hazards Control measures

Boundary clearance

Establish a safety zone around the participation area. If this cannot be achieved, consider ways of reducing risks (e.g. stationing competent spotters near any obstacle, padding the obstacles).

Electricity

If power is required, ensure electrical or extension leads do not pose a tripping hazard.

Faulty or dangerous equipment

Use markers made from non-injurious material (e.g. foam).

Check equipment for damage (e.g. loose connections, mats with loss of resilience), dangerous parts (e.g. skipping rope handles) and stability before and during the activity.

Clean and store all equipment safely and securely when not in use.

Secure safety pads to hazardous equipment (e.g. mini-trampolines).

Playing surface

Cover/fill playing surface hazards (e.g. post hole sleeves) to be level with the surrounds.

Clear the playing surface from loose items, debris or moisture. Do not participate on a slippery and/or damp surface.

Provide sufficient matting appropriate to the activity, considering falls in any direction. Consult International Gymnastics Federation’s Apparatus Norms (see Division II) for guidance on appropriate thickness and density for specific gymnastics disciplines.

If using several mats to form a single surface, ensure they are secured together. Reposition immediately if disturbed.

Remove all objects from underneath the trampoline bed and instruct students to bounce in the centre.

Wear socks when trampolining to prevent significant toenail injury.
Student considerations Control measures

Manual handling
Lifting and carrying equipment

Use correct manual handling processes when lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying equipment. Closely monitor participants when moving equipment or apparatus.

Physical exertion
Exhaustion and fatigue

Conduct warm-up/cool-down activities.

Match equipment to the size, ability and strength of students.

Continually monitor participants for signs of fatigue and exhaustion.

Student issues

Use spotters when necessary. Spotters are not to be substituted for inappropriate skill development nor inadequate equipment (matting).

Allow only 1 participant on trampolines at any time.

Remove accessories (e.g. jewellery, lanyards) before participating.

Ensure fingernails, hair and clothing (e.g. pockets) do not interfere with the activity.

Additional links

Disclaimer

This information is developed and distributed on this website by the State of Queensland for use by Queensland state schools only.

Use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this information by persons or organisations other than the State of Queensland is at their sole risk. All users who use, adapt or rely on this information are responsible for ensuring by independent verification its accuracy, currency and appropriateness to their particular circumstances. The State of Queensland makes no representations, either express or implied, as to the suitability of this information to a user's particular circumstances.

To the full extent permitted by law, the State of Queensland disclaims all responsibility and liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs arising from the use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this information.

Links to external websites are for convenience only and the State of Queensland has not independently verified the information on the linked websites. It is the responsibility of users to make their own decisions about the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of the information at these external websites.

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Last updated 13 July 2022