The start of a new school year can only mean one thing: winter is coming. Winter weather
brings hazardous conditions, which can make it unsafe and risky for both staff and pupils. And if
the school building has been damaged and is considered unsafe, or the school has no heating
or lighting, this could result in needing to close your school.
To prevent this from happening, you should adequately prepare your school premises for the
harsh winter conditions. Keep reading to find out how.
Gritting the premises
Gritting or adding salt to areas that are prone to becoming icy is very important for safety. In a
school setting, these areas could include walkways, parking areas, entrances, pathways,
playgrounds and vehicle access routes.
For a quick and efficient way to spread salt and grit, you can purchase a grit-spreader. They will
spread the product evenly and prevent caretakers from hauling heavy bags of salt around with a
shovel in the freezing cold. Depending on your school, you can choose from different types of
spreaders:
- Tow-behind spreaders – best suited for car park areas and play areas. They can be
operated by a car, truck, quad-bike or any appropriate vehicle fitted with a tow bar. - Pedestrian spreaders – the best option for smaller spaces, these only need to be pushed
along by hand to spread the salt.
Clean the guttering
All the leaves, dirt and grime that have accumulated throughout the year can all be washed into
the roof's drainage system when it rains hard. This can prevent rainwater from flowing away
and, in more severe situations, may result in the roof developing leaks and the appearance of
damp, which can be very costly to resolve.
By cleaning the guttering you can make sure that all the pipes are clean and flow well. This way
when it snows or ice builds up around them and begins to melt, you can rest assured that it will
drain through without any issues or leaks.
Check boilers and radiators
Keeping the rooms in your school warm is very important in the winter. A cold classroom means
that children won’t be focused on their learning and will find it hard to concentrate.
You should check that all boilers have been serviced and are working correctly, so the chance
of them breaking down in the cold is reduced. You should also make sure that all the radiators
are checked and ensure they are operating correctly. This includes looking at the valves,
ensuring there is no rust or mould and bleeding them if needed.
Disinfect germ hotspots
Colds, flu and other viruses spread like wildfire in the winter, especially in schools where
children mix with each other in enclosed spaces. It is important to keep disinfectant handy to
fight against any germs that may have sneaked their way into the classroom, eradicating them
quickly before they have the chance to spread.
You can use a disinfecting spray or wipes to clean the hotspots in a classroom such as light
switches, drawer handles, chairs and tables.
Check the lighting
Winter brings not only cold weather conditions, but also darker days and longer nights. This
means that staff members and students may arrive at school (or leave it) when light levels are
low. Checking that all the lights are in good condition and work properly in and around the
school premises can ensure that everyone is safe.
Although natural light is the best type to incorporate in the classroom, during the winter LED
lights are a great alternative. For outdoors purposes, floodlights and high bay lighting illuminate
areas for pupils, teachers and parents to ensure safety around the school.