School Grounds Maintenance During the Summer Holidays

The summer holidays give schools a valuable opportunity to complete outdoor maintenance without working around busy playgrounds, lesson times and daily drop-offs.

While pupils and most staff are away, larger jobs can be planned more efficiently and with far less disruption. It is also the ideal time to deal with areas that have become overgrown during the warmer months, complete necessary repairs and prepare the site for the start of the new academic year.

At DTG Trees & Grounds, we support schools across Devon with planned commercial grounds maintenance, tree work, surveys, fencing and outdoor improvements. By getting work booked early, schools can make good use of the holiday period and welcome pupils back to grounds that are safe, tidy and ready to use.

Why the Summer Holidays Are Ideal for Grounds Work

School sites are busy places during term time. Even straightforward maintenance has to be carefully timed around pupils, staff, deliveries, breaktimes and after-school activities.

The summer break removes many of these complications. Contractors can often access more of the site, use equipment more freely and complete work without interrupting the normal school day.

It also gives schools time to identify and resolve issues before September. A damaged fence, low branch or overgrown access route might not seem urgent at the end of term, but it can quickly become a problem once the site is busy again.

Completing the work during the holidays means the school can begin the new term in a much stronger position.

Bringing Grass and Open Areas Back Under Control

Grass growth can be particularly fast during the summer, especially when warm weather is mixed with periods of rain. Playing fields, verges, entrance areas and less frequently used corners can soon become untidy.

A planned summer grounds maintenance visit can include:

• Grass cutting across lawns, verges and open areas
• Tidying edges around paths and kerbs
• Strimming around posts, fences and obstacles
• Cutting back vegetation around entrances and signs
• Clearing green waste and loose debris

The aim is not simply to make the grounds look better for the first day back. Regular cutting also helps keep outdoor areas usable and makes ongoing maintenance easier once term begins.

For larger school sites or multi-academy trusts, a scheduled maintenance plan can provide consistency across several locations while reducing the pressure on caretaking and estates teams.

Managing Hedges and Overgrown Vegetation

Hedges and shrubs often put on significant growth between spring and late summer. If they are not managed, they can narrow pathways, reduce visibility and begin to cover signs, gates or lighting.

The summer break can provide an opportunity to reshape suitable hedges, clear encroaching vegetation and restore access around the site. Before any work begins, areas should be checked carefully for active bird nests and other wildlife.

Not every hedge needs a major reduction. In many cases, selective trimming and targeted clearance are enough to improve visibility and presentation without carrying out unnecessary work.

Particular attention may be needed around car parks, pedestrian routes, school entrances, emergency access points and boundaries adjoining neighbouring properties.

Checking Trees Before Pupils Return

Trees are an important feature of many school grounds. They provide shade, support wildlife and make outdoor spaces more welcoming, but they also need to be inspected and managed responsibly.

The holidays are a sensible time to look at trees near playgrounds, footpaths, buildings and parking areas. Concerns might include dead branches, storm damage, damaged stems, fungal growth or branches that have started interfering with roofs and access routes.

Where a more detailed assessment is required, DTG Tree Consultancy provides professional tree surveys and risk assessments across Devon. A survey can help the school understand the condition of its trees, prioritise any necessary work and plan future management rather than waiting for a problem to develop.

It can also prevent unnecessary tree work. A tree that initially looks concerning may only need monitoring or appropriate pruning rather than removal.

Repairing and Replacing School Fencing

Secure fencing is essential around school grounds. It helps define the boundary, manage access and create safe outdoor areas for pupils.

Damaged panels, loose posts and failing gates can become more noticeable after winter weather and a busy school year. The summer holidays provide time to carry out repairs or replace longer sections without working around pupils.

Professional school fencing installation may include boundary fencing, timber fencing, gates and more robust solutions for areas where additional security is needed.

Access, ground levels and how different parts of the site are used should all be considered before work begins. A nursery play area, sports field and service entrance may each need a different approach.

Tackling Jobs That Are Difficult During Term Time

Some grounds projects are simply easier to complete while the school is quiet.

This could include vegetation clearance, removal of unwanted shrubs, changes to planting areas, improvements to outdoor learning spaces or repairs requiring machinery and repeated access.

The quieter period gives contractors more room to work and allows the school to address several tasks as part of one organised programme. It can also be a good opportunity to review areas that are no longer working well.

An overgrown corner could be cleared for future use. A worn planting bed could be redesigned. Poor access around storage areas could be improved. Small changes can make the grounds easier to manage and more useful throughout the year.

Planning Work Around Each School

Every school site is different. A small primary school may need help with lawns, hedges and playground boundaries, while a secondary school or academy campus could have extensive playing fields, mature trees and several entrances to maintain.

The most effective approach starts with a site visit. This allows the contractor to understand the layout, identify priority areas and discuss access, timing and safeguarding requirements with the school.

A clear programme can then be created around the available budget and the work that will have the greatest impact. Some schools may need a one-off summer visit, while others benefit from maintenance throughout the year.

Ready for the New Academic Year

The condition of the school grounds contributes to the first impression made on pupils, parents, staff and visitors. Clean entrances, tidy green spaces and secure boundaries show that the site is being looked after properly.

More importantly, planned maintenance helps keep frequently used areas safe and accessible. Completing work during the summer holidays means fewer last-minute concerns when staff return and the new term begins.

DTG Trees & Grounds provides school grounds maintenance across Devon, including Dawlish, Teignmouth, Exeter, Torbay, Plymouth and surrounding areas. Our teams can assist with regular grounds care, tree inspections, fencing, vegetation clearance and practical improvements to outdoor spaces.

To arrange a site visit or discuss work for the summer holidays, contact the DTG team for a free, no-obligation quotation.