Getting your school ready for the new academic year

With the summer holidays underway, schools, colleges and universities across the UK begin preparing for the return of staff and students. While much of the focus naturally falls on timetables, lesson planning, new regulations and welcoming new pupils, the weeks before the new academic year also provide an opportunity to make sure your site is safe, secure and fully operational.

The aim of all educational settings is to create the right environment for learning from day one. By reviewing security, facilities management and the overall condition of your site before term starts, you can reduce disruption, improve safety and help your staff and students return with confidence.

Start with a thorough site inspection

The summer period is often the ideal time to assess the condition of school buildings and grounds. Carrying out a comprehensive inspection before staff fully return allows maintenance issues to be identified and resolved before they become costly problems during term time.

This could include checking roofing, drainage, lighting, heating and ventilation systems, fire safety equipment, plumbing, classrooms, sports facilities and communal areas. Small maintenance issues that go unnoticed can quickly become larger operational challenges once students are back on site.

External areas should also be reviewed, including car parks, pathways, fencing, gates and outdoor learning spaces to ensure they remain safe, accessible and presentable for the new academic year.

Review your security measures

Educational settings face a wide range of security challenges, from unauthorised access and vandalism to theft and antisocial behaviour. Schools are particularly vulnerable during holiday periods when buildings are left unoccupied or with skeleton staff, making a pre-term security review essential.

Access control systems should be tested to ensure staff, contractors and authorised visitors can enter the site safely while preventing unauthorised access. CCTV systems should be checked to confirm cameras are fully operational, recording correctly and providing adequate coverage across key areas of the site. Security lighting should also be inspected, particularly around entrances, car parks and secluded areas where visibility may be limited.

Facilities management supports long-term success

Preparing for September shouldn’t simply be about addressing immediate issues. We recommend taking a proactive approach to facilities management throughout the year, helping to prevent reactive repairs, minimise disruption and maintain compliance with statutory requirements. Regular inspections planned preventative maintenance and coordinated support services allow education providers to focus on delivering learning experiences rather than dealing with avoidable operational problems.

Whether it’s maintaining building services, managing cleaning schedules, supporting security operations or ensuring external spaces remain safe and functional, a facilities management strategy helps create an environment where both staff and students can thrive.