Education Today Education Today Magazine
With the new academic term underway, maintaining high cleaning standards is essential to supporting the health and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors. As classrooms, dining areas, and communal spaces return to full use, schools and colleges need a proactive approach that helps reduce the spread of germs and supports a safer learning environment.
While holiday deep cleans provide a valuable reset, day-to-day prevention is what keeps standards consistent. Effective cleaning programmes should include regular training, assessment, and auditing to identify improvement areas, reinforce good practice and ensure methods are applied correctly across the facility.
A confident, well-trained cleaning team plays a vital role. Core tasks such as damp mopping, damp wiping, and surface washing should be carried out using approved techniques, suitable products and the correct personal protective equipment (PPE). Training also helps operatives understand colour-coding, safe chemical use, and how to prevent cross-contamination between areas.
High-risk touchpoints require particular attention. Washrooms, dining spaces, classrooms, door handles, push plates, handrails and shared surfaces can quickly contribute to the transfer of germs if cleaning frequencies are not reviewed. A clear cleaning plan enables teams to respond promptly when additional attention is needed.
During periods of increased illness, facilities may benefit from enhanced schedules, more frequent washroom inspections, well-stocked supplies, and the appropriate use of disinfectants on frequently touched surfaces. Simple visual reminders can also encourage students to practise good hand hygiene throughout the day.
Regular toolbox talks, refresher training, and audits help keep cleaning teams aligned with current best practice and give organisations confidence that standards are being maintained. By combining effective cleaning methods with ongoing learning and quality assurance, educational facilities can create cleaner, safer, and healthier spaces for everyone.
BICSc can help educational organisations build confident, capable cleaning teams with recognised training, practical guidance, assessment, and ongoing support that fits around busy operational schedules. Through the BICSc Virtual Training Suite, teams can access professional training anywhere, anytime, and on any device, helping operatives develop essential knowledge at their own pace while keeping disruption to essential cleaning duties to a minimum.
From Licence to Practice through to skills training and CPD courses, BICSc provides flexible solutions that help educational facilities raise standards, improve consistency and support safer environments. Start building a stronger, more confident cleaning team today – speak to BICSc to explore tailored training options for your facility.
Enquire today: https://bics.org.uk/training-enquiry-form/
