Back-to-school cleaning: Creating clean and safe learning environments

Summer holidays are already entering the final few weeks here in the UK, with schools, colleges, and universities already preparing to start the new term and academic year.

This is a busy time for teachers, school management teams, and in-house facilities teams as they get ready for new student intake, consider any building maintenance, repairs, or upgrades, prepare lesson plans, and set up classrooms.

At Aegis Support Services, we understand that a clean and healthy learning environment is a fundamental part of pupil, student, and teacher success and well-being. That’s why we have prepared this short guide on what school management teams and in-house facilities/estates teams should consider as they get ready for a safe and successful start to the new academic year.

The importance of pre-term school cleaning

Schools are high-traffic environments, so maintaining high standards is essential for health, safety, and learning. During summer breaks, school environments can accumulate dust, pests, and general maintenance needs that create challenges to ensuring teachers, pupils, staff, and visitors all have the right environment to work and learn in.

This is where thorough pre-term cleaning becomes essential. It not only creates a welcoming environment but also one that prevents the spread of illness and maintains the longevity of a facility’s assets.

Your school cleaning checklist

Classrooms and learning spaces
For learning spaces, it is important to consider a comprehensive deep clean of all areas, removing all furniture and equipment to ensure cleaners can access every corner and area of the space. This is also an opportunity to focus on any areas that may be neglected during regular term-time cleaning when it isn’t practical to remove all furniture. It’s also worth looking at professional steam cleaning areas, such as floors.

When cleaning and disinfecting desks, chairs, and other furniture, it is also worth checking for any damage that may require maintenance attention and flagging any issues to the school management team or facilities manager. Windows and blinds also require special attention after the summer holidays, as they will have had limited use. Air vents and ceiling fans should also be cleaned, inspected, and tested to ensure they are in good working order.

Washrooms and hygiene facilities
Washrooms demand the most rigorous cleaning protocols. Your cleaning team should strip and deep clean all surfaces using disinfectants and pay attention to any high-touch areas such as taps, door handles, and flush mechanisms. At the same time, your team should inspect and clean all plumbing fixtures and pay attention to drainage and water pressure in your system to see if there are any issues that have occurred over the summer holidays. And it is worth checking any exhaust fans and cleaning where necessary to ensure there is good ventilation.

Common areas and corridors
School corridors and common areas such as hallways, staircases, and entrances also require intensive cleaning and attention. These spaces are in constant use during term time and quickly become spaces where germs spread easily if they are not properly maintained. Consider a deep clean of all surfaces and applying appropriate protective treatments. It is also worth checking all lighting and cleaning all fixtures and replacing any bulbs that need attention. Autumn and Winter months are only around the corner when these spaces will need additional lighting, so it is worth investing the time now to ensure they are in good working order.

Science labs and technical spaces
Within a school environment, some areas require specialised cleaning processes due to potential chemical residues and sensitive equipment such as science labs. For these spaces, ensure your cleaning team are using appropriate cleaning agents that won’t damage surfaces or equipment. Ensure all fume hoods and ventilation systems are thoroughly cleaned and functioning properly. Check and clean all safety equipment, including eyewash stations and emergency showers.

Food service areas and spaces
For schools, kitchen and dining facilities must meet strict food safety standards, which are governed by multiple regulatory bodies, including the Food Standards Agency and local environmental health departments. This means that food service areas and spaces must go through regular deep cleaning, including all cooking equipment, storage areas, and food preparation surfaces using food-safe cleaning products. Inspect and clean all refrigeration units, ensuring proper temperature control. Pay special attention to drainage systems and grease traps, which may require professional maintenance.

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system maintenance
Some schools might overlook their HVAC systems when preparing for the new school term. These are, however, critically important and require thorough attention before the new term kicks off. In addition to ensuring these areas and systems are clean, it is changing air filters throughout a school’s building and inspecting ductwork for any signs of contamination or damage. You may also need to consider professional HVAC maintenance to ensure systems are operating at the right level of efficiency.

A great time to review your cleaning and maintenance schedule

These last few weeks before the new term begins are a great time to review your approach to cleaning and maintenance across your school site, including reviewing your schedules and plans. It is worth reviewing the processes you have in place and ensuring they cover both cleaning and maintenance checks.

You may also want to consider more intensive cleaning periods during school holidays and breaks to minimise disruption to educational activities. It can also be a great time to check that you have the right equipment and supplies in place and that quality assurance checks are in place to maintain standards throughout the academic year.

Preparing for your school’s new term success

The investment in comprehensive back-to-school cleaning preparation pays dividends throughout the academic year. A clean, well-maintained learning environment supports student health and academic performance while creating a positive impression for parents, visitors, and prospective students.