Planning work around the school calendar starts with understanding the space, the scope and how to keep disruption to a minimum.
A school refurbishment often starts with a practical problem. Reception has become too cramped. Staff need better working spaces. Changing facilities no longer meet the needs of the pupils using them.
Improving these areas can make a real difference to everyday school life. But the work itself needs careful consideration, particularly when there is a fixed holiday period or parts of the school must remain open.
For school management, bursars and estates teams, planning ahead helps establish what is achievable and how the project can fit around the academic year.
Start with how the space needs to work
School staff know which parts of a building work well and where improvements are needed. A reception area may become crowded at busy times, or staff may struggle to find somewhere quiet to work.
Understanding how the building is used each day helps identify where improvements are needed. Discussing them with the people who use the building helps establish what the work needs to achieve.
At our grammar school refurbishment in Surrey, we altered the existing layout to improve reception and circulation areas and create new spaces for staff. This involved structural work as well as new finishes, adapting the building to better suit the school’s needs.
Work backwards from the date the space is needed
If a refurbished space needs to be ready for September, planning should begin well before the summer holidays. Surveys and design work take time, and materials need to be ordered in good time for work to start.
The programme should also leave enough time after construction for final checks and cleaning, so staff can get the space ready before pupils return.
At our grammar school refurbishment in Surrey, we completed the work during the holiday period to minimise disruption. The project was delivered on time and within budget, ready for the school to reopen in September.
Understand what can happen while the school remains open
Some projects need more time than the school holidays allow. When work continues during term, the programme needs to take account of the school day.
This means agreeing how deliveries will reach the site and keeping work areas separate from pupils and staff. Noisy work or interruptions to services need to be discussed in advance, particularly around exams. After-school clubs and community activities also need to be considered.
At our high school extension and refurbishment in Surrey, we extended the sports hall to provide larger changing rooms and a new boot room, and refurbished existing office areas. The school remained operational throughout, with the work completed ahead of schedule and with minimal disruption.
Look beyond the visible finishes
A refurbishment can quite often involve more work than is visible at first. Moving a wall or changing how a room is used may mean altering drainage, heating or electrical services.
Understanding what is needed before work starts helps the school budget properly and reduces the likelihood of unexpected work later.
Setting this out clearly also makes it easier to compare contractors’ proposals and understand what is included in the price.
Choose a contractor who understands the setting
Building work adds another responsibility to an already busy school day. Staff need to know what is happening, when it may affect them and who to speak to if a question arises.
At Cortec Commercial, we work closely with the school and its professional team throughout the project. Careful site management and regular communication help us plan work around school life and deal with any issues promptly.
Planning improvements to your school?
Whether you are considering a refurbishment or an extension, an early conversation can help clarify the scope of the work and your intended timescale.
Cortec Commercial works with schools across Surrey and the surrounding areas. Contact our team to discuss your project or email enquiries@corteccommercial.co.uk with a brief outline of your requirements and when you need the space ready.
