Synergy News & Blog: News
Keeping your academy school estate safe
The latest version of the Academy Trust Handbook was released in July 2024, with changes effective from 1 September 2024.
Amongst other changes includes an extension to the circumstances in which a Notice to Improve (Ntl) may be issued. This now also includes concerns where Trustees and the Executive fail to manage their school estate and maintain it in a safe working condition strategically and effectively.
Therefore, here is some timely advice to ensure your school environment remains safe and compliant.
Managing the estate effectively
Boards need to undertake a strategic approach in the management of their estate to keep it safe. This includes the development of a robust estate strategy and an asset management plan. It is also important that appropriate organisational processes and policies are in place as well as training kept up to date to ensure the school have the skills needed to deal with property- related issues.
Where a school lacks the skills, it is important to review how this can be addressed i.e. either through training/ recruitment or through using external expertise such as utilising a specialist education property consultant such as Synergy Construction and Property Consultants.
More resources on Good Estate Management for schools can be found here Good estate management for schools – Fundamentals of good estate management – Guidance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
What is the condition of the buildings?
It is important to have a clear understanding of the condition of the buildings on a school estate. This ensures that estates remain safe and allows problems and potential risks to building users to be proactively identified to ensure buildings remain safe and compliant.
A planned preventative maintenance survey (PPM) provides a detailed assessment of the condition of the buildings (roof, window, floors etc.) and the mechanical and electrical equipment (boiler, electrics, etc.).
Each defect is given a priority rating ranging from A through to D, alongside the cost to rectify the issue to aid budgeting of any required works. This allows a school to clearly identify its most critical issues, prioritise expenditure and get value for money through the wise timing of projects to achieve economies of scale. A PPM would normally set out a ten year capital expenditure plan and is a live document that can be easily updated as and when issues occur.
Synergy’s Surveyors undertake numerous PPMs to help schools keep their buildings safe, compliant and in the best possible condition. We also support with the implementation of any condition improvement projects as well as assisting schools with obtaining funding for the works.
Are you complying with your legal responsibilities?
Boards need to fully understand how the school is complying with all necessary legal requirements relating to the school estate including Health and Safety Law and Statutory Inspecting and Testing. It is important to review copies of maintenance and testing schedules. Further information for schools on safety and compliance can be found here Good estate management for schools – Health and safety – Guidance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Of particular importance is Asbestos, Fire and RAAC:
Asbestos: It is estimated that nearly three quarters of schools and further/higher educational establishments have some asbestos-containing materials (ACM’s) in their building fabric. A record of all asbestos, known or assumed to be in school premises, must be held for all school premises. Where asbestos is identified in school premises, an asbestos register and asbestos management plan must be in place and reviewed regularly.
In addition, before undertaking any works on the school estate (built before 2000) it is a requirement under the controlled asbestos recommendations that a project specific Refurbishment and Demolition Survey (R&D) Survey is undertaken. This allows for the right measures to be implemented to protect all users during the works.
Fire: A risk assessment identifying the general fire precautions needed to safeguard persons in case of fire must be undertaken and regularly reviewed for all school premises. Procedures should be in place to reduce the likelihood of fire, maintain fire detection and alarm systems, and ensure staff and pupils are familiar with emergency evacuation procedures.
RAAC: The DfE considers RAAC as a potential issue which was highlighted following the partial collapse of a primary school roof in Kent. Since then, it has worked with other bodies to issue warning notes, expand its data collection programme and issued a guide for identifying RAAC and issued a questionnaire to schools. In 2023, the DfE assessed the threat to safety in school buildings as a critical risk with 100 schools in England having to shut buildings. We have been supporting a number of clients in the education sector with RAAC diagnostic and remedial works.
Taking Action
If your school would like to gain a better understanding of your estates condition and practical solutions to implement to safeguard its longevity and ensure it remains in a safe and compliant condition, please contact us to arrange an appointment with our experienced team.
