PEOPLE People should always be at the forefront of your school’s premises management strategy. When you’re thinking about people you need to: • Make sure that you know the aims and needs of the people using your building and what they use the space for • Improve the quality of life for your staff and pupils. This will lead to improvements in the productivity of your school Keeping everyone safe and in good health is beneficial for your school as a whole. If an accident should occur, you can prove that you were compliant with laws and regulations and avoid unnecessary risk and liabilities. What do people want from your school? Pupils, staff and visitors want a positive experience from their surroundings at a school and poorly kept facilities will very quickly have a stressful impact on everyone.
First impressions and practicalities are key to a positive atmosphere and can be achieved by meeting basic expectations: Outside: • Clear, clean and welcoming signage • Well kept grounds, trees and shrubs • Well lit pathways • Pathways clear of weeds, moss, broken paving slabs etc Inside: • Areas are clean, tidy and clutter free • Areas are a comfortable temperature, ventilated and well lit • Glass, particularly in doors, is clean and free from marks • The decor is fresh, warm and inviting
WHERE STUDENTS LEARN MATTERS: • Teachers in satisfactory physical surroundings
are more likely to stay
• Poor physical environments are strongly
associated with truancy and higher rates of
student suspension
• Inadequately maintained premises increase
the risk of an accident occurrence
• The quality and condition of school facilities Facilities: • Equipment is serviceable, safe and well maintained • All facilities are safe to use, and hazards are properly signposted • Washroom facilities are kept clean and properly stocked
“THE ROYAL INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS (RICS) REVEALED THAT 61% OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS FELT THAT THE COMFORT OF HAVING WELL-MAINTAINED FACILITIES HAD POSITIVELY IMPACTED THEIR WELLBEING AT WORK.”
4
affect student performance and wellbeing
• School facilities provide services and benefits
to their communities
