For primary and secondary school estates leaders, compliance is a frontline governance priority. Increased regulatory scrutiny, heightened safeguarding expectations and ageing buildings have combined to make statutory maintenance one of the most complex areas of school facilities management in 2026. From fire safety and water hygiene to asbestos management and electrical testing, the compliance landscape is both broad and unforgiving…
Fire safety: documentation and diligence
Fire safety remains under particular scrutiny. Regular fire risk assessments, alarm testing, emergency lighting checks and clear evacuation procedures are essential. For many schools operating in older buildings, compartmentation, fire doors and signage require ongoing monitoring and maintenance.
Inspectors increasingly expect not only compliance, but clear documentation. Digital record-keeping systems are becoming standard, enabling estates teams to demonstrate audit trails quickly and confidently.
Water hygiene and legionella control
With complex plumbing systems and periods of low occupancy during holidays, schools must remain vigilant around water safety. Routine temperature checks, flushing regimes and risk assessments are critical to controlling legionella risk.
In multi-academy trusts (MATs), central oversight of water hygiene compliance is growing, with estates leads implementing standardised reporting frameworks across sites to reduce variation and risk.
Asbestos and ageing infrastructure
Many primary and secondary schools still contain asbestos materials, making robust management plans essential. Clear labelling, contractor controls and up-to-date surveys are fundamental to maintaining safety during maintenance or refurbishment works.
The broader challenge is ageing infrastructure. Deferred maintenance can create compliance risk if systems such as boilers, electrical installations or fire alarms approach end-of-life without planned replacement.
Audit readiness and governance
Compliance is closely linked to governance. MAT boards and local authorities are demanding clearer visibility of estate risk. This is driving greater adoption of centralised compliance dashboards and condition surveys that prioritise statutory risk over aesthetic improvement.
Clear allocation of responsibility (whether in-house or outsourced) is also vital. Ambiguity around who owns testing, certification and remedial action can quickly lead to gaps.
From reactive to assured
For estates professionals, the focus is shifting from reactive compliance to assured compliance. That means structured schedules, digital tracking, contractor oversight and proactive capital planning.
In primary and secondary schools, compliance is now about safeguarding pupils and staff while protecting leadership teams from reputational and regulatory risk.
Robust statutory management is not optional. It is the foundation of safe, sustainable school estates.
If you’re searching for FM & Maintenance solutions for your institution, the Education Forum can help!
