Professional School Cleaning Services
Schools face cleaning challenges that no other commercial environment does. High footfall from hundreds of pupils, frequent illness transmission, strict safeguarding requirements, and the need to work entirely around the school day — these demand a school cleaning contractor who genuinely understands the education sector, not a general commercial cleaner adapting on the fly.
Signature Cleans provides dedicated school cleaning programmes across Exeter and Devon. All staff working in school environments are DBS-checked, trained in safeguarding awareness, and experienced in operating around the school timetable to keep disruption to teaching and learning to an absolute minimum.
We are SSIP accredited and CQMS verified. All cleaning products used in school environments are COSHH-compliant and child-safe — particularly important in nurseries, early years settings, and primary schools. Our programmes are trusted by headteachers, school business managers, and multi-academy trust procurement teams across Devon.
DBS, Safeguarding & Compliance
When you bring a cleaning team into a school, compliance isn't optional — it's the baseline. Here is what Signature Cleans provides as standard for every school cleaning contract:
DBS-checked staff — Every member of our school-facing cleaning team holds a current enhanced DBS certificate. We manage renewals and keep records available for inspection.
Safeguarding awareness training — All staff are trained in safeguarding awareness appropriate to the education setting, so they understand their responsibilities when working on school premises.
COSHH-compliant products — We use child-safe, COSHH-compliant cleaning products throughout. Full COSHH data sheets are available for your records at any time.
SSIP accreditation — Our SSIP accreditation confirms our health and safety management meets the standards required by local authorities, MATs, and DfE procurement guidelines.
Documented cleaning specifications — A written spec for every site, detailing exactly what is cleaned, when, and to what standard — available for Ofsted or governor review.
Why school cleaning matters
The standard of cleaning in a school has a direct impact on pupil health, staff wellbeing, and the overall environment for learning. It also affects how your school is perceived during Ofsted inspections — a clean, well-maintained site reflects positively on leadership and management.
Pupil health — Schools are high-transmission environments. Proper sanitisation of touch points, washrooms, and dining areas is one of the most effective ways to reduce illness spread and minimise term-time absences.
Safeguarding compliance — Having DBS-checked, safeguarding-trained cleaners on site is a non-negotiable for most schools and a key requirement for academy trust procurement.
Ofsted readiness — Inspectors assess the physical environment as part of wider leadership judgements. A consistently clean site signals that standards are being maintained across the board.
Staff morale — Teachers and support staff spend long hours in school. A clean, hygienic working environment communicates that they are valued — and that matters for retention.
Flexible scheduling
School cleaning can't follow a standard commercial schedule. Pupils, safeguarding responsibilities, and the rhythm of the academic year all shape when and how cleaning should happen. Our programmes are built around your timetable from day one.
During term time
Cleaning is typically scheduled after the school day ends — usually from 3:30pm or 4pm — to minimise any contact with pupils and avoid disruption to lessons. For larger secondary schools or multi-building sites, early morning cleaning of specific areas (such as reception, offices, or changing rooms) may also be arranged where operationally appropriate.
During school holidays
Half-term and full holiday periods are the right time for thorough school deep cleans — the areas that can't be properly accessed during term time. This includes carpet cleaning, hard floor restoration, full kitchen and dining hall sanitisation, and high-level surface cleaning. We schedule holiday deep cleans to ensure the school is back to a pristine standard before pupils return.
Across the academic year
Our schedules flex between term-time and holiday periods as standard, matching your cleaning programme to your budget across the year. You get a higher-intensity service during holidays without paying for it year-round.
FAQ
Do school cleaners need to be DBS-checked?
Yes. Any cleaning contractor working on school premises should hold a current enhanced DBS certificate. At Signature Cleans, every member of our school cleaning team is DBS-checked before they set foot on a school site. We manage renewals and keep records available for your safeguarding file.
How often should a school be deep cleaned?
Most schools benefit from a full deep clean at least twice per academic year — typically at Christmas and during the summer holidays. Half-term periods are well suited to targeted deep cleans of high-use areas such as washrooms, dining halls, and changing rooms. We advise on the most appropriate schedule during your free site visit.
Do you provide school cleaning services across Devon?
Yes. We provide school cleaning services across Exeter and Devon, including primary schools, secondary schools, academies, nurseries, and colleges. We also work with multi-academy trusts (MATs) requiring consistent cleaning standards across multiple sites.
What cleaning products do you use in schools?
All products used in school environments are COSHH-compliant and child-safe. We can provide full COSHH data sheets for your records at any time. For nurseries and early years settings, we use enhanced-safety formulations appropriate for very young children.
Can you provide documentation for Ofsted or governor inspection?
Yes. Every school cleaning contract includes a written cleaning specification — detailing exactly what is cleaned, when, and to what standard. This documentation is available for Ofsted inspectors, governors, or MAT oversight teams on request.