Supporting Safe Microbiology in Scottish Schools and Colleges

New Code of Practice, updated professional learning and transitional arrangements

SSERC has published the fifth edition of Safety in Microbiology – Code of Practice for Scottish Schools and Colleges, alongside important updates to its SCQF credit-rated professional learning provision.

Practical microbiology offers valuable opportunities for learners to develop scientific knowledge, practical skills, and an understanding of microorganisms' role in everyday life. Ensuring these activities are undertaken safely is essential, both for those delivering and supporting practical work and, importantly, for the learners participating.

The revised Code of Practice reflects SSERC's continued commitment to supporting schools, colleges and education practitioners in maintaining high standards of microbiological health and safety, consistent with current health and safety legislation and guidance.

Competence and confidence in practical microbiology

A central principle of the revised Code is ensuring that staff involved in preparing, delivering, and supporting microbiology activities have the knowledge, practical skills, and demonstrated competence to undertake their responsibilities safely.

The Code provides guidance on different levels of microbiological work, the associated risks and the training and supervision required. It also reinforces the importance of effective risk assessment, appropriate facilities, safe working procedures and clearly defined responsibilities.

For those undertaking specialist Level 3 microbiology activities, including preparing, maintaining, and disposing of cultures, the Code requires appropriate training and demonstrated competence.

These expectations are not simply about meeting health and safety requirements. They ensure teachers, lecturers and technicians have the confidence and competence to support meaningful practical learning while maintaining a safe environment for everyone involved.

Ultimately, learners' health, safety, and wellbeing must remain at the centre of decisions about practical microbiology in the classroom.

Updated SCQF credit-rated professional learning

To support implementation of the revised Code, SSERC has updated its SCQF credit-rated professional learning course.

The revised course, Safety in Microbiology: Culture Preparation and Disposal (SCQF Level 6, 3 credit points), replaces the previous Safety in Microbiology for Schools course.

While the learning outcomes remain unchanged, the assessment arrangements have been updated to reflect current expectations for safe microbiological practice. These include:

• An enhanced practical assessment checklist incorporating the safe use of autoclaves.

• An open-book written assessment, enabling participants to demonstrate their understanding and application of relevant health and safety procedures and guidance.

The revised course supports the development and assessment of the specialist knowledge and practical competence required for Level 3 microbiology activities in educational settings.

Maintaining competence through refresher training

The fifth edition also expects staff undertaking Level 3 preparation, maintenance, and disposal activities to refresh their training at intervals of no more than five years.

This recognises that microbiology is a specialist area of practical work where maintaining up-to-date knowledge, skills and safe working practices is essential.

Refresher training provides an opportunity to reinforce existing competence, respond to developments in guidance and ensure that established practices remain appropriate.

A planned and proportionate transition

SSERC recognises that implementing revised training expectations requires careful planning by schools, colleges, local authorities and other employers.

To support this, transitional arrangements will remain in place until 31 December 2028.

These arrangements recognise relevant training already completed, including the predecessor SSERC course, and give employers and education practitioners time to review existing qualifications, identify refresher training needs, and make appropriate arrangements.

Staff whose relevant training was completed more than five years previously, or who reach that point during the transitional period, should complete appropriate refresher training by 31 December 2028.

The existing one-day refresher course will remain available during the transitional period, certificated under the revised course title.

The intention is to support a managed, proportionate and achievable transition, allowing those responsible for microbiology provision to plan effectively while maintaining appropriate standards of health and safety throughout.

Importantly, the introduction of the replacement course does not, in itself, invalidate relevant training previously completed.

Supporting safe and engaging practical learning

SSERC remains committed to working alongside education practitioners, technicians, schools, colleges and employers to support the safe delivery of practical STEM education.

The revised Code of Practice, updated professional learning and transitional arrangements form part of that commitment.

By placing staff competence, effective risk management, and continuing professional learning at the heart of microbiology provision, we can help ensure learners continue to benefit from engaging, high-quality practical experiences in safe, well-managed learning environments.

Further information

The fifth edition of Safety in Microbiology – Code of Practice for Scottish Schools and Colleges, together with information on the revised course and transitional arrangements, is available from SSERC via SSERC | Microbiology

For advice on training requirements, previous qualifications or refresher arrangements, please contact the SSERC team.