How to prepare your school for winter

When we think of winter, the first things that come to mind are cosy evenings, crisp winter walks, festive celebrations and plenty of wrapping up warm. But for schools, winter brings a whole new set of challenges that we're lucky enough to avoid during the rest of the year. 

Darker mornings and afternoons can reduce visibility, icy conditions increase the risk of slips and falls, and heavy snowfall can cause disruptions or even force schools to close. That's why it's best to prepare early and plan for any potential challenges, so you’re ready to face whatever winter throws at you. 

In this guide, we'll walk through the key things to consider to help you prepare your school for winter, keep staff and students safe, and keep day-to-day operations running smoothly throughout the colder months. 

 

Carry out a winter risk assessment  

A great place to start is by carrying out a school winter risk assessment. Walk around your site and identify any paths, entrances, car parks, playgrounds and other outdoor areas that could be affected by snow, ice or reduced visibility, increasing the risk of accidents. 

Pay particular attention to high-traffic areas, such as entrances and doorways, which can quickly become slippery, as well as slopes, steps and uneven surfaces. Car parks can present additional hazards, with hidden ice carrying the risk of vehicles skidding or colliding. Staff working outdoors on school grounds, including crossing patrol officers and site teams, may also be at greater risk during darker mornings and evenings if they don't have suitable high-visibility clothing and warm, weather-resistant workwear for colder conditions. 

Once you've identified potential risks, create an action plan that outlines the ways you can manage each hazard.  

 

Stock up on winter essentials 

After conducting your risk assessment, you may find you need to secure more of the essentials to manage the potential hazards. Common winter essentials for school sites include: 

- Grit salt and de-icer to help treat icy pathways and entrances. 
- Grit bins for storing grit or other winter maintenance supplies. 
- Waterproof jackets and fleeces for staff working outdoors. 
- Gloves and other workplace PPE to improve comfort during colder weather. 
- Hi-vis clothing for increased visibility during darker mornings and evenings. 
- Disinfectants and cleaning products to support hygiene during winter illness season. 
- Entrance mats and signage to manage wet-floor hazards caused by mud, rain and snow. 

Keep walkways and entrances safe from ice 

Snowy and icy weather creates ideal conditions for slips, trips and falls around the school site. Before winter weather arrives, review the key routes that staff, children, parents and visitors take at school each day from your risk assessment. This may include school gates, main entrances, drop-off and collection points, commonly used pathways or routes into reception.  

Once these areas have been identified, develop a winter safety maintenance plan with clear roles. Decide who will be responsible for gritting before school opens, which areas should be prioritised and whether snow clearance or de-icing products are needed. A clear plan can reduce the risk of accidents and help staff feel confident managing winter hazards when they arise. 

 

Offer appropriate clothing for outdoor duties 

Provide staff working outdoors with appropriate clothing and PPE for cold and wet weather conditions. Think about the roles staff carry out and the weather they're likely to face. This could include crossing patrol officers, PE teachers, playground supervisors, caretakers and site teams. 

Consider the clothing or accessories they may need to carry out their duties safely and comfortably, or whether it's worth keeping a supply on site for multiple staff members to use when needed. Depending on the role, this may include waterproof jackets, thermal layers, gloves, wellies or hats. Taking the time to review what's available before winter arrives can help ensure staff are prepared when temperatures start to drop. 

 

Improve visibility during darker mornings 

When children arrive at school during winter, especially those attending breakfast clubs, it can still be pitch black outside, making it much harder to see potential hazards. The same applies at the end of the day, with children attending after-school clubs and activities often leaving in low-light conditions. 

Take some time to assess visibility around your school site and consider whether additional measures are needed. This could include providing high-visibility clothing for staff and, where appropriate, considering high-vis options for pupils. You may also want to review outdoor lighting around entrances, pathways and other key access routes to ensure they remain safe and easy to navigate throughout the winter months. 

 

Don’t forget cleaning and hygiene  

Winter doesn't only bring snow and ice, it's also the season of coughs, colds and nasty bugs. Keeping on top of hygiene procedures can help reduce the spread of germs and support attendance throughout the colder months. Review your cleaning schedules ahead of winter, paying particular attention to high-touch surfaces and frequently used areas where germs can easily build up. 

It's also worth thinking about how wet weather may affect your cleaning schedules. Make sure entrances have suitable matting to help trap dirt and moisture, and keep wet floor signs readily available to manage any hazards. You may find that mopping and general cleaning need to increase during periods of heavy rain or snow because more dirt and debris are brought into the building. 

 

Review emergency and business continuity plans 

While many winter challenges can be managed, it's important to have plans in place for more severe weather and unexpected disruption. Consider how you would communicate with staff, parents and guardians if adverse weather affects normal school operations. Make sure contact information is up to date and communication channels are ready to use if needed. 

It’s also worth reviewing your school closure procedures and considering what circumstances may require you to put them into action. Consider who makes decisions, how everyone will be informed, and what steps must be taken before reopening. Where relevant, keep suppliers updated on any closures or changes to site access so they can plan the best time for deliveries and services to take place. 

 

Remember to check outdoor learning and play areas 

Getting outdoors throughout the year can have huge benefits for children's wellbeing, learning and development opportunities, but it's important that any seasonal risks are managed appropriately. Regularly inspect outdoor equipment and play areas to ensure they're safe to use, taking note of slippery surfaces and icy patches. 

It's also worth checking weather conditions before outdoor activities take place. While outdoor play can continue safely in many winter conditions, severe weather, heavy rain, snow, or ice may call for activities to be adjusted, moved indoors, or held off until conditions improve. 

 

Create a winter readiness checklist 

To make things easier each winter, keep a checklist handy so you can make sure you’re covered on all fronts. Here’s an example of what one may include: 

✅ Risk assessment reviewed 

✅ Grit and salt stocked 

✅ Snow clearance equipment ready 

✅ Staff winter clothing available 

✅ Hi-vis checked and replaced 

✅ Cleaning supplies replenished 

✅ Emergency plans updated 

✅ Outdoor areas inspected 

 

To conclude… 

Preparing your school for winter doesn't have to be complicated, but it does require planning. Taking the time to assess your site, review potential hazards and ensure the right equipment, supplies and procedures are in place can help reduce risks and minimise disruption throughout the colder months.   By planning ahead and regularly reviewing your arrangements, you can help create a safer environment for staff, pupils and visitors, giving everyone the confidence to navigate the season whatever the weather has in store.   

For everything you need to prepare your school for winter this year, explore our Winter Essentials collection.