It always amazes us when people think that schools are fully shut all summer long. Indeed they are shut for pupils. And most teachers and teaching assistants are hopefully sitting with their feet up and a well deserved holiday on the horizon. 

But there is an army of people still working in school all summer. The bigger the school, the more staff you will find on site. In fact for some jobs it is imperative and summer is the most important time of the year. 

The IT department will be hard at work pushing software updates, changing servers if needed, refurbishing tired equipment, PAT testing anything that plugs in…and so on. It is a pretty big turnover and can sometimes mean even bigger jobs like refitting classroom interactive whiteboards and the like. 

The admin team will be sorting through all the transition paperwork and inputting of data that needs finishing. They will also still be fielding enquiries from parents, prospective parents and students. 

Headteachers will be overseeing a variety of projects – maybe even a new build or classrooms being repainted – as well as dealing with strategy documentation and getting back on top of their workload in preparation for a new year. They also may be spending time on their own CPD through coaching or mentoring or online courses.

Finance departments will be working through budgets for the next year and perhaps even keeping an eye on those building costs! 

HR departments may be updating staff records and onboarding new staff details.

Premises staff will be overseeing and doing projects to do with re-freshing the school environment. From new display boards to shelving and fixing that constantly leaking toilet. 

Cleaners may be in for a deep clean while they have the chance too. 

Schools are definitely quieter in summer but I just visited a school for just 30 minutes and saw: security guards protecting the grounds; builders doing work on the external facade; the IT department refurbishing laptops for students; catering staff deep cleaning the kitchen; and receptionists dealing with incoming enquiries. 

And as for admin and IT staff they may also be doing a very important job which benefits the entire school community – updating your school website! The great news is that our team is on hand throughout summer too and will be able to offer advice and help as needed. Here are a list of jobs you may consider using this ‘quiet’ time for before the new term begins:

1. Archive pages of the website that you won’t need anymore. 
2. Tidy up your menus if they are getting out of control after adding lots of new pages this year
3. Delete old forms where you do not need them for the new year.
4. Set up new forms for collecting data in September that you need such as for prospective parents to sign up for information on your open days.
5. Spend a bit of time ‘playing’ (it is summer after all!) with the Seasonal Effects options you have with your Greenhouse School Website – set up your dates in the calendar now and your website will automatically change effects for the right time – snow in December perhaps? Pumpkins at Halloween? Tennis balls for Wimbledon? We have lots to choose from!
6. Let us know if you want to review your website for a full refresh for the new year – there is still time!
7. Delete old photo galleries and add new ones reflecting your most recent events and end of term assemblies and excursions.
8. Set up your important diary dates for the year in advance so nothing gets forgotten.
9. Send us any new logos you have to represent awards you won this year or new quality marks you achieved – we can add these to your website header or footer depending on your design choices.
10. Discover how AI photography could enhance your website. 

Have a great summer whether you are in school or at home or someone else in the world entirely!