The best time to carry out major electrical work in a school is the summer holiday, but the planning needs to start in the spring term. Leaving it until June usually means competing for contractor time, waiting on materials, and squeezing six weeks of work into four.

When should schools start planning summer works?

Aim to have a survey done by February or March. That gives time to agree scope, get approval from governors or the trust, and order equipment with long lead times such as distribution boards and emergency lighting.

What can be done during term time?

Plenty of routine work fits around the school day:

• periodic inspection and testing, done out of hours or room by room
• monthly emergency lighting function checks
• small alterations and additional sockets in individual rooms
• EV charge point installation in staff car parks

Anything involving extended shutdowns, dust or noisy chasing is better saved for holidays.

How often do school electrics need testing?

IET guidance recommends a full inspection and test of the fixed wiring in educational buildings at least every five years. Emergency lighting should be function tested monthly and given a full-duration test once a year under BS 5266. Fire alarm systems need weekly testing and a service at least every six months. Our electrical inspections and compliance service covers all of this.

What about safeguarding?

Any contractor working on a school site should be able to show evidence of appropriate checks for their staff and work within your safeguarding policy. It’s worth confirming this at the quoting stage rather than on the first morning.

Working with education clients

We plan school and nursery electrical work around your term calendar, agree access and working hours with the site team, and phase larger jobs over several holidays where budgets need spreading. That includes rewires, lighting upgrades to LED, compliance testing and remedial work across single schools and multi-academy trusts.

FAQs

Can a full rewire be done in one summer?

Often yes, depending on the size of the building. Larger sites may be phased.

Do you work in occupied buildings?

Yes, with agreed working areas and hours to keep disruption to a minimum.