School cleaning is unlike any other contract. The building is used by hundreds of children every day, cleaning happens around safeguarding obligations, budgets are tight and the consequences of getting it wrong — a norovirus outbreak, a safeguarding breach, a dirty toilet block on an inspection day — are serious. Here's what head teachers, business managers and site managers should expect from a school cleaning contractor.
1. Safeguarding first
- Enhanced DBS checks for every member of staff who enters the site, with certificate details provided for your single central record
- Staff briefed on your safeguarding, visitor and photography policies, and signing in and out every visit
- Uniform and photo ID worn at all times
- A clear process for reporting concerns, and for the school to raise concerns about staff
- Consistent staff — the same team, so pupils and staff recognise them
2. A written specification
Every area should have a defined frequency and standard: classrooms (daily), toilets (daily, with a mid-day check where possible), dining hall (daily after lunch), corridors and halls (daily), staff areas (daily or alternate days), high-level and periodic tasks (weekly/monthly). The specification should be attached to the contract and audited against.
3. Infection control that's real, not marketing
- Colour-coded cloths and equipment separating toilets, classrooms and food areas
- Touch-point sanitisation of handles, rails, switches and taps
- A documented rapid-response procedure for sickness outbreaks
- Products with COSHH data sheets available to the school, and child-safe, low-odour products used as standard
4. Holiday deep cleans and floor care
Term-time cleaning maintains; holidays are for resetting. Expect a deep clean at least once a year (ideally summer) covering floor stripping and re-sealing, carpet extraction, furniture washing, high-level cleaning and kitchen and toilet deep cleans — and a plan for half-terms.
5. Supervision and accountability
- A named supervisor who audits the site regularly and meets the site manager
- A simple communication route with a response commitment
- Monthly (or termly) review meetings with audit scores
- Guaranteed cover for absence — a missed toilet clean is not acceptable
6. Compliance paperwork
Public and employer's liability insurance, RAMS, COSHH, safeguarding policy and staff training records, all available before the contract starts.
7. Fair commercial terms
Term-time and holiday schedules priced clearly; consumables itemised; no automatic long-term renewals; a mobilisation plan if you're changing contractor mid-year.
About the author: this article was written by the team at Danitam Multi Resource Cleaning Services, professional cleaners based in Wythenshawe, Manchester, providing domestic, commercial and specialist cleaning across Greater Manchester. Guide prices are correct at the time of publication and are reviewed regularly.