A school cleaning specification should list every area and task with a frequency, separate term-time cleaning from holiday deep cleans, set out safeguarding requirements for cleaning staff, state which products may be used, and explain how the standard is checked. With that in place, quotes can be compared fairly and the school knows exactly what it is paying for. This guide is for school business managers, bursars and academy trust estates teams.
School cleaning specification at a glance
A cleaning specification is the written document that defines what is cleaned in a school, how often and to what standard. It is the basis for the contract and for checking the work. Schools usually need daily cleaning before or after the school day and deeper work in the holidays while the building is empty. For the service itself, see school and academy cleaning.
- When does cleaning happen?
- Daily cleaning before or after the school day; deep work in the holidays.
- What about safeguarding?
- Specify vetting: every DNA cleaner is DBS checked with 5-year referenced background checks.
- Who checks the standard?
- The contractor’s manager, against the specification, with the site team able to review.
Areas and frequencies to include
| Area | Term time | Holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Classrooms | Daily: floors, desks, bins, touch points | Deep clean, carpets, high-level |
| Corridors and stairs | Daily | Floor scrubbing or carpet cleaning |
| Toilets and changing rooms | Daily, checked and restocked | Descaling and deep clean |
| Dining hall and kitchens | Daily after service | Degreasing and deep clean |
| Sports hall | As agreed for use | Floor and high-level cleaning |
| Staff room and offices | Daily or several times a week | Deep clean, carpets |
Safeguarding and site rules
- Require DBS checks and referenced background checks for every cleaner.
- State when cleaners may be on site, and how they sign in and out.
- Ask for a consistent team, so staff know who is in the building.
Products and equipment
Specify that products are suitable for schools and stored securely, and that the contractor supplies equipment and trains staff to use it safely. Ask how outbreaks of illness are handled, for example with additional cleaning or fogging and misting.
Checking the standard
Build regular inspections into the specification. At DNA Cleaning Solutions, managers check the work against the specification under our ISO 9001 certified quality process, and we hold public liability and employers liability insurance, with copies available on request.
Questions we are often asked
- Do you clean academies and colleges as well as schools?
- Yes. We clean primary and secondary schools, academies, colleges and universities.
- Can you do holiday deep cleans only?
- Yes. Holiday deep cleans can be booked as one-off work.
- Which areas do you cover?
- London and Greater London.
Get a free school cleaning quote or call +44 20 3826 8555.
