The Concussion Protocol within the Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education (OPASSE) was updated in September 2025 in partnership with Parachute. The Concussion Protocol has been identified by the Ministry of Education through School Board Policies on Concussion (PPM158) as the minimum standards for risk management practices related to concussion for school boards.
For the purposes of this resource, the Concussion Protocol as outlined in the OPASSE will be referred to as the Concussion Protocol.
The updated Concussion Protocol is based on the most recent research and recommendations of the expert scientific community on concussion, that is, the Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport, 2nd Edition, 2024, Living Guideline for Pediatric Concussion; and the Amsterdam Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport, 2022.
Ophea acknowledges Parachute Canada for their ongoing partnership and expert review of the Concussion Protocol. Ophea also recognizes Pediatric Concussion Care (the Living Guideline for Pediatric Concussion) for informing the direction, content, and activities outlined in the Return to Learn and Return to Physical Activity plans.
Special thanks to the educators who provided practical insights from classroom, school and school board perspective and the students who shared their understanding of concussion recovery in the school setting. These perspectives helped ensure the protocol is grounded in both evidence and the real-world experiences.
The updated Concussion Protocol is intended to support school boards in Ontario with:
- reviewing and updating their current concussion policy and procedures (as needed);
- staying up to date on risk management practices related to concussion; and
- implementing the requirements outlined in the School Board Policies on Concussion (PPM158).
About Concussions
Concussion Protocol
Concussion Protocol Sample Tools
- Sample Awareness, Education, and Prevention Strategies – Physical Education Teacher/Intramural Supervisors
- Sample Awareness, Education, and Prevention Strategies - Coach/Community Coach Liaison
- Sample Tool to Identify a Suspected Concussion
- Sample Medical Assessment and Monitoring Form
- Suspected Concussion: Parents/Guardians Information
- Return to Learn and Return to Physical Activity Stages
- Sample Return to School Plan – Stages 1 to 3 Form
- Sample Return to School Plan – Stages 4 to 6 Form
- Return to School Plan: Parents/Guardians Information
- Sample Medical Concussion Clearance Form
- Sample Concussion Symptom Awareness Tool
- Sample Strategies and/or Approaches for Students
Concussion Codes of Conduct
- Sample Concussion Code of Conduct for Interschool Sports (Coach/Team Trainer)
- Sample Concussion Code of Conduct for Interschool Sports (Students)
- Sample Concussion Code of Conduct for Interschool Sports (Parent/Guardian)