Maintaining a school is not just about keeping the lights on and the grass trimmed. A well-structured maintenance program ensures educational facilities are safe, welcoming, and conducive to learning. Reputation and financial stability hang on the line; well-maintained facilities will improve appeal for future students and limit the cost of repairs down the road.
However, in New South Wales (NSW), a few key differences affect how you should approach an effective school maintenance program. Read on to find out more.
The NSW Government has outlined three key types of maintenance to include in any School Maintenance Plan:
Most maintenance plans are designed to provide guidelines for all school facilities, both inside and out. The goal is to remove guesswork so that nothing is missed during routine maintenance and inspections, and if a maintenance emergency occurs, there is a straightforward protocol to follow.
A maintenance plan for a NSW School would typically include refurbishments to classrooms, painting, landscaping, fixes to floors and ceilings, and structural work.
At First Response our school maintenance plans are all-inclusive, also encompassing plumbing and electrical, so schools only need to liaise with one trusted source for all of their maintenance needs.
Outsourcing school maintenance offers access to specialised expertise, often with less overhead. It also allows schools to scale their maintenance efforts without the burden of managing additional staff or investing in expensive equipment.
On the other hand, in-house maintenance teams give schools more immediate control over daily tasks and routine upkeep. This approach may be ideal for ongoing, minor repairs and day-to-day cleaning. However, it requires investment in training, tools, and management and may not be practical for specialised tasks or large-scale projects.
A hybrid approach, combining outsourced services for complex jobs and in-house management for routine maintenance, is often an effective strategy.
Our Quick Guide to School Maintenance Programs answers this question and more in further detail.
Most regions of New South Wales experience some form of extreme weather, from strong sun and high temperatures to cold winters and heavy rainfall. Any school maintenance plan in NSW needs to take these weather conditions into account.
These harsh conditions can wreak havoc on building materials, accelerate planned maintenance schedules, or require special consideration. Sydney schools, for example, should plan for periods of sudden, heavy rainfall and inspect water systems regularly to keep drainage systems clear of debris.
The NSW Government has recently increased its involvement in school maintenance planning for public schools. From the planning and funding side to inspections and scheduling maintenance, there is now a wide range of support and guidance available. Find out more information here.
School buildings and facilities are more than just structures; they are spaces where students and staff spend most of their day. With a well-planned maintenance program, New South Wales schools can address issues proactively, extend the life of their facilities, and generate a reputation for quality and care.
If you’re interested in working with First Response to create a proactive, effective school maintenance program, schedule a site assessment today.