Education Case Study: Westbridge Academy

Client Profile

Westbridge Academy is a secondary school located in Reading, Berkshire, serving approximately 1,200 students aged 11-18. The school occupies a campus consisting of five buildings constructed between 1985 and 2010, with a total area of approximately 15,000 square meters. The institution employs 110 teaching staff and 45 support staff members.

The Challenge

Prior to engaging Clean Workspaces UK, Westbridge Academy faced several significant challenges related to hygiene management and student health:

• High student absence rates: The school experienced student absence rates approximately 14% above the national average, with respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses accounting for a significant portion of these absences
• Inconsistent cleaning protocols: Different buildings and departments followed varying cleaning practices, creating inconsistencies in hygiene standards across the campus
• Limited resources: The facilities management team struggled with budget constraints while trying to maintain adequate cleaning standards
• Seasonal illness outbreaks: The school regularly experienced significant illness clusters during winter months, occasionally requiring class closures
• Staff dissatisfaction: Teacher surveys indicated concerns about classroom cleanliness and its impact on the learning environment

Additionally, the school was preparing for an upcoming Ofsted inspection and wanted to demonstrate its commitment to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for students and staff.

The Solution

Clean Workspaces UK conducted a comprehensive assessment of Westbridge Academy's facilities and developed a tailored implementation program focusing on four key areas:

1. Targeted High-Touch Surface Management

A comprehensive high-touch surface cleaning program was implemented, with special attention to areas where cross-contamination risks were highest:

• Identification and mapping of all high-touch surfaces throughout the campus
• Development of cleaning schedules with increased frequency for critical surfaces
• Selection of appropriate disinfectants based on efficacy, safety for school environments, and contact time
• Implementation of verification system to ensure thorough cleaning of identified surfaces

Particular attention was given to shared equipment in science labs, computer rooms, and sports facilities where multiple students interact with the same surfaces throughout the day. For more information on developing similar protocols, see our infection control best practices for high-traffic facilities.

2. Hand Hygiene Infrastructure

A comprehensive hand hygiene program was implemented featuring:

• Installation of 78 alcohol-based hand sanitizer stations at strategic locations, including all building entrances, outside dining areas, and at the entrance to each classroom
• Upgrading of handwashing facilities in restrooms to include touchless faucets and soap dispensers
• Implementation of visual cues and reminders throughout the campus
• Development of age-appropriate educational materials about proper hand hygiene techniques

The locations of hand hygiene stations were carefully determined through analysis of student traffic patterns, with particular attention to transition points between different activities. Our hand hygiene compliance practice note provides more guidance on effective implementation strategies.

3. Resource Optimization Program

To address budget constraints while improving cleaning efficacy, a resource optimization program was implemented:

• Consolidation of cleaning product inventory to reduce waste and simplify training
• Implementation of dilution control systems to ensure proper chemical usage
• Reorganization of cleaning schedules to maximize efficiency
• Investment in microfiber cleaning systems to reduce chemical usage while improving efficacy
• Development of preventative maintenance protocols for cleaning equipment

This approach allowed the school to achieve higher cleaning standards without increasing the overall facilities budget. For guidance on selecting cost-effective products, see our choosing eco-friendly cleaning supplies article.

4. Educational Integration Program

Recognizing that sustainable improvement required student and staff participation, an educational integration program was developed:

• Age-appropriate hygiene education incorporated into science curriculum
• Student "Hygiene Champions" program in each year group
• Staff training on supporting classroom hygiene practices
• Parent communication program to reinforce hygiene practices at home
• Regular hygiene-focused assemblies and activities

This program transformed hygiene from a purely facilities management concern to a school-wide educational initiative, significantly enhancing compliance and creating a culture of hygiene awareness. For ideas on implementing similar programs, see our implementing hygiene guidelines resource.

Implementation Process

The implementation followed a phased approach tailored to the school calendar:

This schedule allowed for major infrastructural changes to be implemented during the summer holiday, minimizing disruption to school operations while ensuring all systems were in place for the new academic year.

Results

During the 12 months following implementation, Westbridge Academy documented significant improvements across multiple metrics:

Additional qualitative benefits included:

• Positive feedback from Ofsted regarding the school's approach to student wellbeing
• Improved parent satisfaction with school health and safety measures
• Enhanced student understanding of hygiene principles and their importance
• Reduced disruption from illness-related teacher absences and substitutions
• Cost savings from more efficient use of cleaning supplies and reduced staff absence costs

The school estimated that the reduction in staff and student absences resulted in approximately 2,100 additional learning hours over the academic year, with significant positive impact on educational outcomes.

Key Lessons & Best Practices

The Westbridge Academy implementation yielded valuable insights for other educational institutions:

1. Student engagement: Involving students actively in hygiene programs significantly improved compliance and created peer-to-peer accountability
2. Strategic timing: Aligning implementation with school breaks minimized disruption and allowed for comprehensive changes
3. Educational integration: Incorporating hygiene education into the curriculum reinforced practices and provided context for their importance
4. Resource optimization: Focusing on efficiency rather than simply increasing cleaning frequency allowed for improvement within budget constraints
5. Whole-school approach: Success required participation from administration, teaching staff, facilities teams, and students working together

Westbridge Academy continues to refine its hygiene program, with a focus on maintaining the positive changes achieved while exploring opportunities for further improvement and innovation.

For educational institutions looking to implement similar improvements, we recommend reviewing our effective workplace hygiene policy article and educational facilities research report.

Related Resources

Educational Tools

Free downloadable resources for implementing hygiene education in schools:

• Hygiene Champions Program Guide Complete implementation toolkit
• Classroom Presentation Templates Age-appropriate materials for all levels
• Signage and Visual Cue Toolkit Printable resources for school environments