CLEANING & HYGIENE LESSONS IN CLEANLINESS
Matthew Ferrin, Digital Project Manager at BICSc, explains how training, supervision and professional standards can help facilities managers deliver consistent cleaning across education estates.
In an education facility, cleaning is far more than an operational task carried out behind the scenes. It is a core part of creating a safe, welcoming and effective environment for pupils, students, staff, visitors and the wider community. From schools and colleges to universities and training centres, every education setting depends on clean, hygienic and well-maintained spaces to support learning, protect wellbeing and maintain confidence in the organisation.
Education buildings are high-footfall environments. Classrooms, corridors, washrooms, dining areas, sports facilities, libraries, offices and shared study spaces are used throughout the day by large numbers of people. High-touch points such as door handles, desks, handrails, taps, switches and shared equipment can quickly become a source of risk without effective cleaning standards, contributing to illness, poor presentation and a weaker experience for building users.
WHY CLEANING QUALITY MATTERS
High-quality cleaning plays a direct role in infection prevention and control. In education settings, germs can spread quickly because people learn, work, eat and socialise in close proximity. Effective cleaning and disinfection helps reduce transmission, particularly in shared spaces and areas where food preparation or personal hygiene takes place. Government health protection guidance highlights that keeping settings, equipment and surfaces clean is critical to managing infection risks.
Cleaner environments can also help reduce avoidable disruption. Illness-related absence affects learners, staff and operational continuity. When cleaning standards are inconsistent, education facilities may experience more complaints, more reactive cleaning requests, and greater pressure during periods of seasonal illness. In contrast,
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a proactive and professional cleaning programme can support attendance, safeguard wellbeing and help facilities managers demonstrate that appropriate standards are being maintained.
The importance of cleaning is not limited to health and hygiene. The condition of an education facility strongly influences first impressions. Clean reception areas, classrooms, washrooms and communal spaces communicate professionalism, care and pride. They reassure parents, students, staff, inspectors and external partners that the facility is being managed properly. Poor cleaning can quickly damage trust and confidence, even where teaching, resources and leadership are strong.
THE FACILITIES MANAGER’S CHALLENGE
For facilities managers, achieving consistent and high- quality cleaning across an education estate can be complex. Different areas have different levels of risk, use and expectation. A science laboratory does not have the same cleaning profile as a sports changing room. A nursery classroom has different needs from an exam hall, a canteen or a university lecture theatre. Cleaning schedules must be practical, responsive and aligned with the way each space is used.
Facilities managers must also balance quality, compliance, budget, staffing and service expectations. They may be managing in-house teams, outsourced contractors or a combination of both. They need confidence that cleaning operatives understand safe working practices, correct chemical use, colour-coding, cross-contamination control, equipment care, and the standards expected in each area. Without a clear training framework, standards can vary between individuals, shifts, buildings and contractors.
Consistency is often the biggest challenge. A facility may look excellent after a deep clean or inspection visit, but
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