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Schools, after-school and holiday clubs, and tuition centres
Fire risk assessments for schools, clubs and tuition centres
We assess fire safety in independent, faith and special schools, after-school and holiday clubs and tuition centres, including premises shared with other users, changing numbers of children and temporary staff. You'll receive a clear assessment and a practical action plan.
Since 1999
Fire safety across the East Midlands
49
educational premises we work with
FPA & IFSM
Fire Protection Association
and Institute of Fire Safety Managers
What we assess in schools, clubs and tuition centres
We look at how children, staff and visitors use the premises during lessons, clubs, holiday programmes and out-of-hours activities.
Pupils who need help evacuating
We consider the ages and needs of the children on site, including whether the overall evacuation arrangements allow for pupils who may need assistance and the staff available to support them.
Registers, staff cover and drills
We review how staff know who is in the building, account for children in an evacuation and brief supply teachers, part-time tutors or holiday staff. We also look at what fire drills reveal.
Clubs in borrowed or shared spaces
After-school clubs, tuition centres and holiday schemes often rely on another organisation's alarms and escape routes. We consider how arrangements work during their sessions and where responsibilities need clarifying.
Escape routes and building layouts
We review corridors, staircases, exits and fire doors, particularly where teaching takes place in converted buildings, upper-floor rooms or premises shared with other occupiers.
Science, DT and catering areas
Where present, we consider gas supplies, chemicals, workshop equipment, cooking appliances and other sources of ignition associated with practical teaching or food preparation.
Building work and out-of-hours risks
We consider changes to rooms or buildings, contractors' hot work, external combustible storage and risks associated with access to the site when lessons or sessions are not taking place.
What you receive
A fire risk assessment for your premises and an action plan with prioritised recommendations.
The report is designed to provide a clear record of findings and recommendations, which you can share with Ofsted where it applies, the local authority, your insurer or the fire and rescue service if asked.
Quoted to the size and type of your premises.
Common questions
We run a club in a school or hired hall. Do we need our own fire risk assessment?
Not automatically. The venue’s assessment may cover the building and shared fire precautions but not your activities, staffing or the hours you operate. You still need to manage the risks within your control and work with the building operator. We can look at the arrangements with you and advise whether anything further is needed.
Will the report help us prepare for an inspection?
Yes. We make a point of recording the fire precautions and good practices already in place, not just the gaps. We want anyone reviewing fire safety at your school or club to see a fair picture: what’s working, what needs attention and what you’ve done about it. You can share the report and action plan alongside drill records and evidence of completed work. It’s useful evidence, but note that it isn’t an approval from an inspector or regulator.
How often should we practise fire drills?
For schools, preferably one each term where appropriate. Clubs and tuition centres need an approach that fits their own sessions and staffing. We’ll look at who attends, how staff are briefed and what you already practise, then recommend a suitable routine.
What if some pupils need extra help to evacuate?
We look at whether the overall evacuation arrangements allow for pupils who may need assistance. That includes the staff available, the escape routes and any equipment needed. We don’t assess individual pupils or write or review personal evacuation plans; those arrangements need to be kept up to date by the people who know the children and their needs.
Can you visit without disrupting lessons or club sessions?
We’ll plan the visit around your timetable wherever possible and follow your safeguarding procedures. We’ll still need to see the relevant spaces and speak to someone who knows how they’re used, including for after-school or weekend activities.
How often should our fire risk assessment be reviewed?
It needs to be reviewed regularly, and sooner if there’s reason to think it no longer reflects the setting. New rooms, building work, different groups using the space or changes in pupils’ evacuation needs may all prompt a review. We’ll recommend a review date in the report and send a reminder when it’s due.
Are follow-up visits included?
A follow-up visit isn’t usually included. It’s useful to keep evidence of completed actions, such as dated photos, invoices or logbook entries, alongside your report. If you’d like us to come back and update the assessment after work has been carried out, we can quote for that separately.
Your assessment is just the starting point
Once we understand your premises and how they’re used, we can help with staff training, written fire safety policies and routine servicing. You deal with the same team, and we use what we’ve learned about your premises rather than starting from scratch each time.
Based on your premises
Staff training
Fire safety awareness for all staff and fire marshal training for teachers and session leaders, using your own exits, hall or classrooms, locked doors and assembly point. Staff can talk through what they’d actually need to do in an emergency.
Tailored to your premises
Fire safety policies and evacuation plans
Written policies and evacuation arrangements tailored to your premises and how they’re used, including your assembly point and locked doors.
Regular checks and servicing
Routine testing, inspections and servicing
Fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, PAT testing and fire door inspections. We keep track of the services we provide and remind you when they’re due. If we find a defect that needs repair, we’ll explain what needs attention.
We don’t carry out repairs: where we find defects, we record them with recommendations and can point you to a qualified contractor.
Ask about training and servicingNot sure what you need? Talk to us.
Phone: 07859 741 285
WhatsApp: Message us
Email: info@acefiremidlandsltd.com
We cover Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. If you are elsewhere in the Midlands, get in touch too and we should be able to still help.
We reply within one working day.