Why the School Holidays Are Prime Time for Grounds Maintenance and Deep Exterior Cleaning
The academic holidays are more than just a break for pupils and staff. They’re also a key opportunity for estates and facilities teams to carry out essential external works without the usual restrictions of term time.
Whether you manage a primary school, secondary school, sixth form college, or university campus, the school holidays provide the perfect conditions for thorough grounds maintenance and deep exterior cleaning. With sites temporarily closed or operating at reduced capacity, it’s the ideal time to refresh outdoor spaces, address seasonal wear and tear, and ensure everything is in excellent condition ahead of the new term.
At Exterius, we provide commercial grounds maintenance and exterior cleaning services tailored to the needs of the education sector. Our team works with schools, academies, colleges, and universities across the UK to deliver reliable, disruption-free results during key holiday windows.
Why Holiday Periods Work Best
During term time, maintaining outdoor areas can be a logistical challenge. Safeguarding policies, high footfall, and lesson timetables all limit what can be done and when. By contrast, school holidays allow for:
- Full access to grounds, entrances, and car parks
- Zero disruption to pupils, staff, or scheduled activities
- Safer working conditions for operatives and contractors
- Faster completion of high-volume or specialist works
With no need to coordinate around timetables or restrict access to certain areas, we can deliver high-quality results quickly and efficiently.
The Benefits of Scheduled Holiday Maintenance
1. Safer External Areas
Slippery leaves, moss, overgrown hedges, and debris create trip hazards, particularly around playgrounds and main pathways. Proactive grounds maintenance during the holidays allows these issues to be addressed before pupils return.
2. No Interruption to Teaching or Learning
All works are carried out while the site is empty or operating at reduced capacity, meaning there is no need to cordon off areas or work around daily routines.
3. A Positive First Impression for the New Term
A clean, tidy, and well-maintained exterior sets the tone for the year ahead. It improves the experience for returning staff and students and makes a strong first impression on new families, visitors, and inspectors.
4. Cost-Effective, Preventative Upkeep
Scheduling maintenance and cleaning during quieter periods helps prevent the build-up of more serious issues, reducing the likelihood of costly emergency repairs later in the year.
Our Education-Focused Services
We offer a complete range of exterior cleaning and grounds maintenance services, including:
- Lawn care and seasonal treatments
- Hedge trimming and pruning
- Weed control and leaf clearance
- Jet washing of playgrounds, walkways, and entrances
- Chewing gum removal
- DOFF steam cleaning for walls, bin stores, and hard surfaces
- External façade and signage cleaning
- Car park and access route maintenance
All work is delivered by uniformed, DBS-checked operatives and can be scheduled during summer holidays, half-terms, or inset days to suit your academic calendar.
Trusted by Schools, Colleges, and Universities Across the UK
We have over 20 years of experience working with education providers and local authorities across the country. Our clients rely on us for professional, responsive, and fully compliant services that minimise disruption and meet safeguarding standards.
We provide grounds maintenance services in a wide number of locations Solihull, Leicester, Cardiff, Sheffield, Leeds, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Swansea, and beyond.
Book Your Holiday Grounds Maintenance or Cleaning Plan
Avoid a last-minute scramble in September. The earlier your maintenance is planned, the more thorough and efficient the results will be.
Contact Exterius to arrange a free site survey and discuss your summer or holiday works schedule. Our team will provide a clear, tailored proposal for grounds maintenance and exterior cleaning that fits your site, budget, and timescales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you provide services for universities and colleges as well as schools?
Yes. We regularly work with universities, sixth form colleges, and multi-academy trusts across the UK.
Are your operatives DBS-checked and fully trained?
Yes. All team members are DBS-checked, fully trained, and follow strict safety protocols when working on education sites.
Can you complete work during half-terms and inset days?
Absolutely. We offer flexible scheduling and can carry out maintenance during any holiday or planned closure.
What areas of a school or university can you maintain?
We clean and maintain external areas including playgrounds, sports courts, car parks, pathways, outdoor seating, façades, and signage.
Do you offer scheduled annual maintenance plans?
Yes. We can build seasonal or year-round grounds maintenance plans aligned with your term dates and operational needs.
What regions do you cover?
We operate nationally, with teams regularly delivering commercial grounds maintenance in Solihull, Leicester, Cardiff, Sheffield, Leeds, and other major UK locations.
