Make a claim through the risk protection arrangement (RPA)
Source: gov.uk (2025-08-20)

Information for public sector schools that are existing members of the RPA about membership rules and how to make a claim.

This page is for schools who are already a member of the RPA. There is information on how schools can join the RPA (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/join-the-risk-protection-arrangement-rpa-for-schools), an alternative to commercial insurance.

Make a claim

You can make a claim based on your RPA coverage. TopMark Claims Management Ltd handle RPA claims on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE). The membership rules will detail the full eligibility of the cover that applies to your school.

Visit the TopMark webpage to make a claim (https://www.rpaclaimforms.co.uk/make-a-claimv2/).

For emergencies and urgent incidents (excluding overseas travel)

Contact the RPA by:
- emailing xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)
- calling xx-xxxx-xxxx
For overseas travel emergencies and urgent incidents

You can contact the RPA by calling xx-xxxx-xxxx.

Summary of cover

This table summarises what the RPA covers. For full eligibility details, you should always read the membership rules that apply to your school.

Full details of cover

These membership rules detail the full cover and provision of the RPA:
- Academy trusts: RPA membership rules (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68a43680246cc964c53d2992/Risk_protection_arrangement_for_academy_trusts_-_membership_rules.pdf) (PDF, 798 KB, 136 pages)
- Church academies: RPA membership rules (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68a436c5246cc964c53d2994/Risk_protection_arrangement_for_academy_trusts_-_church_academies_membership_rules.pdf) (PDF, 806 KB, 131 pages)
- Local authority maintained community schools: RPA membership rules (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67d42ee8a4075fa7b9851db0/RPA_membership_rules_LAMS.pdf) (PDF, 2.07 MB, 129 pages)
- Voluntary aided, foundation and foundation special schools: RPA membership rules (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67d42ef74bcf261f8233f7e8/RPA_Membership_Rules_VA_and_foundation.pdf) (PDF, 2.06 MB, 124 pages)
- Voluntary controlled schools: RPA membership rules (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67d42f046ec9d5faee33f7e7/RPA_membership_rules_VC.pdf) (PDF, 2.07 MB, 127 pages)
Accessing your RPA documentation

You will have been sent a copy of your membership certificate with your confirmation email when you opted into the RPA.

You can access and download further copies of your current certificate by accessing the RPA Service through DfE Sign-in (https://help.signin.education.gov.uk/contact-us).

You can sign in to DfE as a local authority or multi-academy trust (MAT) to manage your RPA membership and that of your schools. This will enable you to see all the schools linked to your organisation and download their certificates from your account. Trusts can also access their trust-level certificate.

Additional cover and buying help

If there’s something you need cover for that’s not included in the RPA, use the Get help buying for schools (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-help-buying-for-schools) service for links to sources of free and impartial guidance from procurement specialists.

Advice and training

Members of the RPA will have access to free risk management advice, training and best-practice guidance from Willis Towers Watson (https://www.willistowerswatson.com/en-GB/Insights/campaigns/risk-protection-arrangement-workshops-department-of-education).

You can contact Willis Towers Watson by:
- emailing xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)
- calling xx-xxxx-xxxx
Access to the RPA cover helpdesk is available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.

Contact details

If you’re making a claim or an enquiry, you can contact the RPA for advice.
- Willis Towers Watson (https://www.wtwco.com/en-gb/insights/campaigns/risk-protection-arrangement-workshops-department-of-education) provide risk management services to all RPA members for the DfE
- TopMark Claims Management Ltd (https://www.rpaclaimforms.co.uk/) handle RPA claims on behalf of DfE, answering any questions (https://www.rpaclaimforms.co.uk/faqs/) you may have
- Davies Group manage the claims process on behalf of TopMark
- CyberClan provide a cyber incident response service on behalf of TopMark