Posted by sir2006

While I have met friendly cleaners since embarking on teaching, the standard of cleanliness in our classrooms needs to be improved. I know the two or three schools I’ve been in may be an exception but I’m thinking my experiences are probably not isolated. What do the cleaners clean in your classroom? From my observation they:

1. empty any bins and put in new black bags;

2. clean sink if you have one and stock up on paper towels;

3. buff floorvacuum carpet and wipe desks.

I fail to see what else gets done. Blinds are thick with dust as are skirting boards, computerselectrical equipment. No furniture is pulled out to clean behind.

Posted by ScotSEN

We recently got a male cleaner and he’s one of the best.

Posted by mazzypann

I’m lucky if the tables are wiped once a week and vacuumed maybe twice! The sink doesn’t get cleaned and there are mice! I end up wiping the tables myself.

The headteacher is aware of this but nothing gets done.

Posted by dominie

1. Contact your union via your school HASAW rep! If you don’t have one, volunteer for the job.

2. Not prepared to do the above?

3. Stop complaining.

On a more positive note: teachers who think their rooms are not being cleaned properly might approach the HT and ask to see the cleaning specification. This states exactly what must be undertaken.

Point out that teachers and pupils are entitled to work in the best conditions and work with HTs to ensure this. Sensible HTs realise that the whole school benefits when they work with unions over issues such as HASAW. There are a few who identify such approaches as a challenge to their “right to manage”. But that’s another issue.

Posted by bella

Every school I’ve worked in has had some problems with cleanliness, although I’ve never witnessed what these others have commented on.

I agree with Dominie about politely pointing out and recording your concerns, and if no action is taken, contact the union.

I’ve brought cleaning materials in and cleaned the tables, sinks and so on myself, and brought handwash for the children, mainly in an effort to stop the ill health I suffered, but now realise this was not the answer.

To follow this and other hot topics: www.tes.co.ukcommunity, click on TES Scotland, then Opinion.