School Compliance Service
January 2026
THE EDUCATION SPACE - SCHOOL COMPLIANCE SERVICES NEWSLETTER
Happy New Year! We hope you and your teams had a restful and positive start to 2026. As we move into the spring term, we know this time of year can feel like a careful balancing act for schools. Alongside renewed momentum, there are ongoing pressures around pupil wellbeing, attendance, and supporting families, while continuing to maintain strong safeguarding and compliance practices. With lighter mornings and the first signs of spring approaching, this term can also offer a valuable opportunity to pause, reset, and look ahead. It’s been a busy period for us within the School Compliance Team, and in this edition of the newsletter we’ve brought together practical guidance and timely reminders to support you through the months ahead. You’ll find updates on PEEPs, common seasonal illnesses, parental mental health, regular compliance requirements, the latest developments with TESSA, and guidance around critical incident arrangements. As always, our focus is on providing clear, supportive updates that help you manage compliance with confidence, while keeping children, staff, and your wider school communities safe and well. If you have any questions or need support, don’t hesitate to contact us at schoolsupport@theeducationspace.co.uk.
TESSA updates As TESSA continues to embed across schools benefiting from our Health and Safety SLA, we’re keen to hear your feedback on how the system is working for you in practice. If you have a few minutes, we’d really appreciate you sharing your thoughts via our short feedback form here. Whether it’s what’s working well, what could be clearer, or ideas for improvement, every response helps us shape the system in a way that best supports you and your schools! Looking ahead to the spring term, we’re also excited to be introducing two new TESSA modules: Premises Management Module Allowing staff to quickly and easily log maintenance tasks, repairs, and ‘odd jobs’, and track progress from start to finish Routine Compliance Module Designed to support premises staff and health and safety leads with simple, automated compliance checklists, covering everything from flick tests to fire drills, with the ability to upload evidence of completion quickly and easily. We plan to launch both modules this term, and will hold free showcase and training sessions in due course.
January 2026
THE EDUCATION SPACE - SCHOOL COMPLIANCE SERVICES NEWSLETTER
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) in educational workplaces
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) are an important part of your fire evacuation strategy and are often overlooked or misunderstood by management. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires all employers to be able to carry out a full evacuation of their entire premises without additional assistance from the Fire & Rescue Service, The Equality Act 2010 also requires reasonable adjustments for disabled persons in the forms of specialist equipment and procedures. Who requires a PEEP? Any person who, when the fire alarm activates, may have difficulty evacuating the building completely unassisted; this includes staff, pupils, contractors & visitors. The difficulty can take many forms and is not limited to people with mobility issues, some examples include (not an exhaustive list): ● Persons with sensory impairments (deaf, blind etc.) ● Persons with mobility impairments (temporary or permanent) ● Any person who requires 1:1 care ● Infants ● Any person who, when told to evacuate the building, could not be relied upon to act in their own best interest (think of a high needs SEND pupil who is now dysregulated due to the sudden activation of a loud continuous siren) What need to be included in a PEEP? As the name suggests, a PEEP will be specific to one individual and must make reference to any specific condition or disability that affects them. Because much of the information included in these plans is sensitive, you must ensure that they are stored securely (e.g. on TESSA) and are shared only with people who are required to know the details. The plan will also need to detail the steps of the individual's evacuation procedure from the time the alarm is activated, to the point that they arrive at a designated assembly point. In some cases specialist equipment will be required to assist in an evacuation, such as an evac chair or similar device to enable a person unable to use the stairs to exit the building without using the lifts. Any person who will be required to implement any part of an individual's PEEP (such as using an evac chair) should be named and their responsibilities should be outlined in detail. Specific reference should also be made to any additional training this person has received to enable them to carry out the PEEP. The importance of practice As with all things the more you practice and drill your evacuation procedures the better you will be able to carry them out. This is incredibly important for fire evacuations as in the event that you are unable to evacuate a person the Fire & Rescue Service will risk their lives to get that person out of the building without hesitation - but they will be annoyed, which is something we would like to avoid if at all possible.
January 2026
THE EDUCATION SPACE - SCHOOL COMPLIANCE SERVICES NEWSLETTER
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) in educational workplaces
The importance of practice cont. The first time you put a person into an evac chair and take them down the stairs should not be during the real thing. You should take time during your termly evacuation drills to correctly carry out your PEEPs and review them accordingly. You may even want to schedule additional time outside of drills where you practice without the additional distraction of a whole school drill. Similarly, if you have an SEND pupil who becomes dysregulated or distressed by loud noises; while it may be uncomfortable, it is better that you be familiar with their reaction so that you can better prepare your response. Again, separate evacuation drills just for these pupils will be helpful to familiarise everyone with the process and build their confidence, but remember that during the real thing we won’t have the option of no loud fire alarm!
Reviews and Updates PEEPs are live documents and should be reviewed regularly and evolve as the person's needs change, sometimes they will only be needed temporarily in response to an injury or following surgery. If you find yourself needing help or advice creating or reviewing a PEEP or if you have any questions, you can get in touch with us at: schoolsupport@theeducationspace.co.uk or email a member of the team directly.
Health and Safety Executive address change We’d like to remind schools that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) head office address has changed. Please ensure the correct address is updated on any relevant posters, policies, or other documents, including the Health and Safety Law poster. Where older details are displayed, these should be amended or replaced to remain compliant. The current HSE head office address is: Health and Safety Executive Redgrave Court Merton Road Bootle Merseyside L20 7HS We’d also like to remind maintained schools that the London Borough of Newham Health and Safety Statement 2025 is now in circulation. Please note that this replaces the previous 2023 statement, which is no longer applicable, and schools should ensure the updated statement is reflected within their policies and documentation.
January 2026
THE EDUCATION SPACE - SCHOOL COMPLIANCE SERVICES NEWSLETTER
The role that keeps schools safe: Premises & site compliance In every school, there is someone quietly keeping everything running by unlocking gates in the morning, fixing what’s broken, sweeping the playground, spotting risks before they become incidents, and ensuring the site is safe for children and staff. Site Supervisors, Caretakers and Premises Managers play a critical role in school safety and compliance. They’re often the boots on the ground, making sure the school meets its duties under health and safety legislation and remains a safe place to learn and work. While Headteachers and Governors remain the legal Duty Holders, many of the day-to-day statutory checks are delegated to premises staff; and so it’s their records, routines and vigilance are what demonstrate compliance in practice. Below is a practical overview of some of the core compliance areas typically managed within this role. COSHH (Hazardous Substances) Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 You must have a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for every chemical (bleach, floor polish, weed killer) on site. All chemicals must be locked away (Yellow Flammable cabinets where necessary) and never accessible to pupils Keep an up-to-date list (known as a COSHH inventory or register) of what chemicals are on site (TESSA can help you do this easily). General site security & safety ● Playground equipment: Visual checks daily for broken glass/damage; formal operational inspection quarterly/annually by RPII inspectors. ● Glazing: Ensure glass in critical locations (doors/low windows) is safety glass or has safety film applied ● Gates & fencing: Regular perimeter check to ensure safeguarding is secure (no holes in fences where a child could leave or an intruder could enter) ● Winter maintenance: You have a duty of care to grit pathways before staff/pupils arrive during ice/snow
Water hygiene (Legionella Control) COSHH and ACoP L8 Schools often have complex plumbing with pipes where water sits still, which are high-risk for Legionella bacteria. ● Weekly: Flush "little used outlets" (taps or showers used less than once a week) for 2 minutes to prevent stagnation. ● Monthly: Check and record temperatures at sentinel taps: ○ Hot water: Should reach at least 50°C within 1 minute. ○ Cold water: Should be below 20°C within 2 minutes. ● Quarterly: Descale and disinfect showerheads (spray can create aerosols, which is how Legionella spreads). ● Risk Assessment: Ensure a Legionella Risk Assessment (LRA) is in place (usually renewed every 2 years by a specialist
These are just a few in a long list of regular testing that your premises staff and Health and Safety Lead should be overseeing. Their roles are vital, often unseen, but absolutely central to keeping schools safe and compliant. Our new TESSA module will help schools stay on top of maintenance tasks and routine statutory testing; but If you need any support with organising statutory records, understanding requirements, or tightening your compliance systems you can get in touch with us at: schoolsupport@theeducationspace.co.uk or email a member of the team directly.
January 2026
THE EDUCATION SPACE - SCHOOL COMPLIANCE SERVICES NEWSLETTER The overlooked risks in breakfast clubs and after school provision Breakfast clubs and after school provision are often the calmest parts of the school day. They tend to run smoothly, with familiar routines and smaller groups of pupils, which is exactly why they are so easy to take for granted.Because these sessions sit outside the main school timetable, they do not always receive the same level of day to day monitoring as the rest of the school. Over time, this can allow small but important issues to creep in unnoticed. A calmer environment can give a sense that risks are lower. Fewer pupils, fewer staff and shorter sessions often feel easier to manage. However, the same expectations around food safety, hygiene, safeguarding and supervision still apply. With less oversight and different routines, extended provision can quietly drift away from established standards without anyone realising. Storage, labelling and record keeping Food storage is one area where this drift can become visible. In one recent example, fridges used by a school club were checked and a number of issues stood out. Some items were past their use by date. Others were stored in open containers with no clear labelling. Several products had manufacturer instructions stating that once opened they should be consumed within a recommended period of time; but without clear opening dates or records, it becomes difficult to know whether food is still safe to use. Allergen storage also needs careful attention. Where allergen containing foods are not clearly separated from other items, the risk of cross contamination increases, particularly in shared fridges or cupboards accessed by multiple staff. Food safety outside the main day These issues are rarely the result of poor practice. More often, they reflect uncertainty around who is responsible for checks during breakfast or after school sessions. Staff involved in extended provision may not be the same people who manage lunchtime catering. Systems that work well during the school day do not always transfer automatically to earlier or later hours unless they are clearly built into routines. Cleaning and use of space Breakfast clubs and after school activities often take place in classrooms, halls or shared spaces that are not normally used for food. If cleaning arrangements are based on daytime use only, these areas can quickly fall below expected standards. Clear responsibility and realistic cleaning schedules help prevent problems building up over time. Awareness makes the difference Breakfast clubs and after school provision are not always included in routine compliance reviews. That doesn’t mean they’re unsafe, but it does mean risks can go unnoticed until an issue arises. As breakfast and after school provision continue to grow, small, regular checks can make a big difference in ensuring that calm parts of the day do not become overlooked areas of risk. If you need support or would like to discuss this further, please contact Sandra today!
sandra.zirolyte@theeducationspace.co.uk
January 2026
THE EDUCATION SPACE - SCHOOL COMPLIANCE SERVICES NEWSLETTER
Winter illness prevention and Chickenpox Chickenpox is something we come across regularly, and while it’s usually a mild illness in children, it can still have an impact within a school community if cases rise quickly. Because children spend so much time together, small, sensible steps can make a real difference in slowing the spread. One of the challenges with chickenpox is that it can be passed on before the rash appears. This means that by the time spots are noticed, others may already have been exposed. For schools, this makes everyday prevention especially important. Everyday Hygiene and Cleaning Good hygiene doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does need to be consistent. Encouraging regular handwashing throughout the day, particularly before eating, after using the toilet and after outdoor play, remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of infections. Cleaning routines also play a key role. Frequently touched surfaces such as classroom worktops, tables, door handles, light switches and shared equipment should be cleaned regularly. In early years and primary settings, this may include toys, reading corners, role-play areas and shared resources that are used by multiple children throughout the day. Water bottles, lunch tables and food preparation areas are often overlooked. Ensuring children use their own clearly labelled water bottles and that these are not shared can help reduce cross-contamination. Lunch tables and food areas should be wiped down thoroughly between uses, particularly if multiple groups use the same space. Soft furnishings such as cushions or beanbags should be cleaned or rotated where possible, especially if children are unwell. Tissues should be readily available in classrooms, with lidded bins emptied regularly, and children encouraged to use tissues for coughs and sneezes. Good ventilation also supports hygiene efforts. Opening windows where appropriate and safe helps fresh air circulate and reduces the build-up of germs in enclosed spaces.
January 2026
Considering the Wider School Community While most children recover quickly, chickenpox can be more serious for some people, including pregnant staff or visitors and those with weakened immune systems. Being aware of cases allows schools to take a considerate and supportive approach and ensure individuals can seek medical advice if needed. Communication Makes a Difference Clear, calm communication with parents and carers helps everyone feel informed and supported. Sharing simple guidance on symptoms and return to school expectations reduces uncertainty and helps families make the right decisions. Here at The Education Space have a bank of handy templates to support you in communicating illness outbreaks to parents and carers. When schools let us know about cases, not only do we share our templates with you and inform the HPT (where applicable); your communication helps us build an overall picture of outbreaks and rising cases within the borough. This shared approach supports prevention and also ensures schools are not managing situations in isolation. If you need advice or support, please do not hesitate to contact us at schoolsupport@theeducationspace.co.uk
THE EDUCATION SPACE - SCHOOL COMPLIANCE SERVICES NEWSLETTER
Parental mental health day 2026 Parenting is often described as one of the hardest jobs there is… with no sick days, no annual leave, and very little pause. On Friday 30th January, we recognise Parental Mental Health Day (PMHD), a national awareness day created by the charity Stem4, dedicated to acknowledging the emotional wellbeing of parents and carers. This year’s theme is “Balance.” For many families, balance can feel out of reach while juggling work, school routines, finances, and the everyday pressures of family life. PMHD is not about doing everything perfectly; it’s about recognising that parents are people too, and that caring for their mental health plays a vital role in supporting children’s wellbeing. When parents feel overwhelmed, stressed, or burnt out, it can affect the whole family. Equally, when parents feel supported and able to care for themselves, children benefit emotionally, socially, and academically. You may wish to encourage parents to reflect on small, manageable ways to support their own wellbeing, such as: ● Letting go of perfection and accepting “good enough” ● Taking short moments of rest, even just a few minutes ● Stepping back from digital spaces that increase stress or comparison Parents and carers should also be reminded that support is available and that asking for help is a strength, not a failure. Key contacts ● Stem4: The founders of PMHD, providing resources for teenage mental health and parental support. ● Family Lives: Confidential helpline and support for families. ● Mind: Advice on parenting with a mental health problem. ● Gingerbread: Expert advice and support for single parents.
New AI training for all school staff There is growing global concern about the misuse of artificial intelligence to create non-consensual, sexualised images of real people. Often referred to as “digital undressing” or AI-generated deepfake imagery. As this risk increasingly affects children and young people, schools need to feel confident in understanding the technology and responding appropriately. In response, The Education Space has developed a one-hour online training session led by Dr Chris Fagan (Head of IT) and Tashanna Egbochue (Head of Safeguarding and Compliance). The session is recommended for all staff and provides practical guidance on recognising risks, understanding AI, and responding to incidents in a school context. Get in touch to book your space now via tashanna.egbochue@theeducationspace.co.uk
January 2026
If you would like to benefit from our outstanding services, contact us: SchoolSupport@TheEducationSpace.co.uk
0208 249 6900 (option 2, option 3)