Are You Ready for the Autumn Audit?

When you read the title, you probably thought Ofsted, didn’t you? Nope—that was my other article. There’s another kind of inspection happening now. Not from Ofsted, not from the local authority—but from the weather outside your window.

The autumn doesn’t care about your policies or paperwork. What the autumn audit really means for schools—especially site teams—is whether the drains can cope with the first downpour, whether staff can see clearly at 7am, and whether the wind has redecorated your perimeter (quite likely with fence fragments now lodged in a neighbour’s garden). The season doesn’t hand you a checklist; it just drops the evidence in front of you—usually as a puddle, a power trip, or a very annoyed caretaker.

So let’s talk about what you can actually do now, while the weather is still on your side.

A perimeter walk once each week—early morning and late evening—is a good starting point. And it needs to be in the dark, not daylight. Take a torch, walk the full route, and take note of what you see. Yes, I know some of you are already saying, “I can’t see a thing—it’s too dark.” Ha ha… but that is the point. If it’s dark for staff or pupils during those early arrivals or late departures, that’s your first sign you might need extra lighting. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but if it stops someone from tripping and seriously hurting themselves? Then it’s a priority.

Now, what are you actually looking for?

• Are all the critical areas illuminated where staff park and pass through when dark?

• Do you have enough cones to cordon off the sections that always puddle up after heavy rain?

• Have you already ordered your salt, or are you waiting for the first frost like everyone else—only to find the last bag within 50 miles has already gone?

• Are your outdoor tap covers fit for purpose, or will they crack as soon as the temperature drops?

Smarter estate management is about anticipating the small things that turn into big problems. It’s about planning early and acting smart, and ensuring that your site isn’t just functional, but safe, well-maintained, and ready for the season ahead.

So walk the site, check the lights, think a few steps ahead—and give your team a bit of a head start before the weather kicks in.

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