The first week of the Easter break is often spent firefighting – fixing what broke, scrubbing what’s become unidentifiable, and catching up on everything term time left in its wake.
But now it’s week two. The alarms have (hopefully) stopped beeping, the dust has settled, and you might even remember what silence sounds like.
So, if you’re looking to make the most of these last calm days – without turning it into a marathon – here’s a simple three-step approach that mirrors a light-touch survey. Think of it as a practical way to spot and sort issues on site – nothing major, just small, quick wins that earn real credit when everyone returns.
Because when the pupils are back and the headteacher starts asking questions, being able to say “already sorted it” goes a long way.
Start with a slow lap around the school. This is the most important bit: no toolbox – just observation. You’re not fixing anything yet. You’re noticing and noting.
This is your chance to see the site as a whole and build up a working list of what looks tired, worn, out of place – or any new ideas for improvement. For example:
Loose or squeaky door handles; tired carpets posing trip hazards; faded or missing signage.
Damaged furniture tucked away or awkwardly repurposed.
Flickering lights that haven’t quite died (but will pick the worst moment to do so).
Rooms that feel too warm, too cold, or too stuffy – often early signs of poor ventilation or insulation.
Leaky taps, wobbly handrails, unexplained odours (yes, even those).
💡 Tip:
Try not to bring a notebook, as paper gets misplaced. How about using your phone’s default voice notes app and taking photos? For example:
iPhone: Voice Memos
Samsung: Samsung Voice Recorder
Google Pixel: Google Recorder
Don’t worry about solutions just yet. This is the time to build a list of observations. A 30-second voice memo saying what you see is more useful than a few scribbles on a Post-it note – and it won’t get lost!
With your initial notes in hand, it’s time for a follow-up site walk. Now you know where to focus, you can take a more detailed look at the areas that stood out. This is where you start thinking practically.
Here are a few key areas to explore:
Suitability Checks: Is each space still being used as originally intended? Or has the purpose evolved without the room keeping up? Look at layout, furniture, lighting, and access.
Furniture and Fittings: Check desks, chairs, cupboards, and display boards. Is anything loose, worn or broken? Do whiteboards still clean properly? Are height-adjustable tables still adjustable?
Doors and Windows: Make sure everything opens, closes, and locks properly. Look out for draughts, sticking hinges, and doors that need a shove to close. Check external door seals for wear and security.
Storage and Access: Are caretaking supplies accessible and well organised? Are storage rooms tidy or crammed with forgotten items? Are emergency exits, risers, and access panels clear and easy to reach?
Ventilation and Damp: Test extractor fans, look for damp patches, and check if windows are easy to open. Poor airflow can lead to all kinds of problems – from health concerns to building damage.
💡 Tip:
This is a working-level look – not a technical survey, just good, methodical checking. It shows pride in the premises and helps prevent small issues from becoming big problems.
Treating the site as if it were your own is the key to motivation and success.
Now you’ve got your full picture: the quick wins, the nagging issues, and the early signs of things worth tracking. It’s time to take that list and turn it into a plan.
Start by breaking things down into three buckets:
Quick Fixes – Things you can sort yourself or with the team before term starts again: replacing signage, lubricating hinges, touching up scuffed paint, tightening fittings, testing fire doors.
Needs a Quote – A step up in scale: jobs that might need outside help but can be scoped now. Think re-flooring small areas, changing blinds, replacing broken furniture, improving lighting in repurposed spaces.
Heads-Up Items – These are jobs to flag with SLT. They’re not emergencies, but they’re things the leadership team should be aware of: space that’s no longer fit for its purpose, items nearing the end of their life, or early signs of longer-term issues (e.g. rising damp, recurring leaks).
💡 Tip:
Include positive ideas among the potential issues by adding a fourth category:
Smart Opportunities – Ideas you’ve spotted that could make things run better: a better location for cleaning supplies, a classroom that could be reconfigured to work harder, or a corridor that could be brightened up with minimal effort.
Week two doesn’t have to be a sprint – but it’s a golden window for small, meaningful improvements that set the tone for the term ahead.
By simply walking the site, taking a closer look, and pulling together a basic plan, you’re not only keeping the school in shape – you’re showing you care about the details.
And if all you do is hand over a tidy list of wins, jobs in progress, and smart observations, you’ll be seen as one step ahead – and that kind of preparation doesn’t go unnoticed.
Better still, try to keep the whole process paperless. If you’re already ahead, take this chance to explore the tools and software available that could help you track to-do lists and small projects more easily going forward.
Here’s to smart surveying, quiet wins, and being the one who had it all in hand before the chaos came back through the gates.
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