Risk protection arrangement (RPA) for schools
Updated 26 August 2021
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/risk-protection-arrangement-rpa-for-academies/academies-risk-protection-arrangement-rpa
The risk protection arrangement (RPA) is an alternative to commercial insurance for schools. Under RPA, the UK government covers the losses instead of commercial insurance.
Why we introduced RPA
We introduced RPA on 1 September 2014 following the publication of an independent analysis of RPA. The report showed that it would be cheaper for academy trusts if the UK government covered risks instead of commercial insurers.
From 1 April 2020 local authority maintained schools were able to join.
RPA aims to protect schools against losses due to any unforeseen and unexpected event.
Consultation on changes to membership rules was undertaken between 17 December 2015 to 31 January 2016. Read the full government response to the consultation (PDF, 325KB) published 12 May 2016 for more details.
We further [consulted on extending the academies risk protection arrangement to local authority maintained schools sector (PDF, 271 KB)] (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/857571/RPA_LAMS_public_consultation_response.pdf).
You can find details of what RPA covers in the membership rules for the RPA.
Who we’re working with
Topmark Claims Management Ltd handle RPA claims on behalf of the Department for Education.
Topmark Claims Management Ltd
Email rpa@topmarkcms.com
Phone for emergencies and urgent incidents (excluding overseas travel) 03300 585 566
Phone for overseas travel emergencies and incidents 020 3475 5031
Willis Towers Watson give risk management advice and RPA support to academies that have opted into RPA.
Willis Towers Watson
Email RPAAdvice@willis.com
Telephone 0117 9769 361