Working in a school

[uksparks]

Hi,

ive managed to secure one work for a school, nothing big, just a number of accessory changes etc and a couple of additional sockets.

ill be up front, I've never done any work in a school.

is there anything I should know about? Work will be done out of school hours.

my main query i suppose is that they want a couple of additional sockets, that's fine, but will need to totally power down the related board as to be able to test it properly, does anyone have any pointers as to bed method or what to suggest to them?

ive not yet investigated as to where the circuit is fed from, but just looking for any advise really on the whole school thing.

thanks

 

[ian.settle1]

Also the education board is likely to require all steel containment, i.e. trunking and conduit with BS6491b singles.

Like most buildings built to government specs the conduit will be buried in concrete including the conduits in the ceilings

 

[slingshot2000]

And "insist" on seeing the schools Asbestos Report before starting anything !

 

[sparkdog]

Don't forget your dinner money.

 

[hightower]

I work in a school currently. You shouldn't be asked for crb, and as a school it's up to us who we use for installs. For sockets etc we use a local well priced company, for bigger jobs (like db issues) we usually get the council team in. We've had a full IT suite of power installed by a local company without issue (ie council pencil pushers on our case). As for install methods, that again is our perogative. The older installs are steel conduit but recently we've opted for plastic trunking in a bid to make the job cheaper.

 

[Risteard]

Like most buildings built to government specs the conduit will be buried in concrete including the conduits in the ceilings

Sometimes, although surface conduit isn't uncommon in schools here.

 

[Risteard]

I work in a school currently. You shouldn't be asked for crb, and as a school it's up to us who we use for installs.

It must be different there then, because here the contract is with the relevant Education & Library Board.

 

[hightower]

Schools (well, councils too) are places that seek 'best value' - everything we order (over a certain value) has to be subject to procurement procedures, such as getting 3 similar quotes from different suppliers. The council try and restrict us to using their services (and therefore lining their own pockets) but my argument is they can't tell us when we need 3 quotes (for services they don't provide) and when we don't (for services they do provide). We either seek best value every time, or none of the time as far as I'm concerned.

Now, of course best value doesn't necessarily mean best price - if we hire a cowboy for next to nothing, and then have to pay the council to come and fix his mess, that's obviously not value. But when the council charges far more than another supplier/contractor that too isn't best value. We're distancing ourselves (as are many other schools I'm in contact with) from council services as much as possible. To give an example, a few years ago we were being charged £450 for a certain spec computer, but we found if we went direct to the supplier we could get them for around £320 for the exact same make and spec (and the same supplier the council used) - so £130 extra for using the council as what is essentially a middle man, I don't call that value. (And don't even get me started on the quality of some of the work they provide)

I've heard all sorts of stories about under-the-table-handshakes going on at the council, and I could well believe most of them having experienced things first hand. My interests lie with getting the best for my school, governors, staff, and students, and council provided services on the whole doesn't align with that.

EDIT: Back to the OPs original question, the only thing I would say is involve the technical guy on site if there is one. I'm IT but if you came in and saw me here I could probably tell you where you need to look to isolate a particular circuit, possibly saving you a bit investigative work. On top of that, I'd be a bit peeved if someone came in and started flicking circuits that happened to include my servers and other sensitive hardware without my say-so. A quick "I need to isolate this circuit, is that ok?" could save a lot of heartache for an IT guy, and a lot of abuse aimed your way.

 

[Guest77]

Not if you're working outside school hours. I have worked in nearly 20 schools (including during school hours) and have never been asked for any sort of CRB for school work, let alone enhanced.

Depends on the council fella, I get what your saying, in Gloucestershire county council though all contractors who work on premises like schools etc where public money is used need to be CRB checked, that said if the school is paying for it and using their money maybe not, so a bit unclear I suppose.

 

[Guest77]

Schools (well, councils too) are places that seek 'best value' - everything we order (over a certain value) has to be subject to procurement procedures, such as getting 3 similar quotes from different suppliers. The council try and restrict us to using their services (and therefore lining their own pockets) but my argument is they can't tell us when we need 3 quotes (for services they don't provide) and when we don't (for services they do provide). We either seek best value every time, or none of the time as far as I'm concerned.

Now, of course best value doesn't necessarily mean best price - if we hire a cowboy for next to nothing, and then have to pay the council to come and fix his mess, that's obviously not value. But when the council charges far more than another supplier/contractor that too isn't best value. We're distancing ourselves (as are many other schools I'm in contact with) from council services as much as possible. To give an example, a few years ago we were being charged £450 for a certain spec computer, but we found if we went direct to the supplier we could get them for around £320 for the exact same make and spec (and the same supplier the council used) - so £130 extra for using the council as what is essentially a middle man, I don't call that value. (And don't even get me started on the quality of some of the work they provide)

I've heard all sorts of stories about under-the-table-handshakes going on at the council, and I could well believe most of them having experienced things first hand. My interests lie with getting the best for my school, governors, staff, and students, and council provided services on the whole doesn't align with that.

EDIT: Back to the OPs original question, the only thing I would say is involve the technical guy on site if there is one. I'm IT but if you came in and saw me here I could probably tell you where you need to look to isolate a particular circuit, possibly saving you a bit investigative work. On top of that, I'd be a bit peeved if someone came in and started flicking circuits that happened to include my servers and other sensitive hardware without my say-so. A quick "I need to isolate this circuit, is that ok?" could save a lot of heartache for an IT guy, and a lot of abuse aimed your way.

A bit of advice for you, be careful what you write, you could end up in court with comments like that.

 

[hightower]

Mdj this is probably a council stipulation rather than a school, just to cover themselves. Anyone can enter a school without a crb provided they are supervised at all times.

 

[Guest77]

Mdj this is probably a council stipulation rather than a school, just to cover themselves. Anyone can enter a school without a crb provided they are supervised at all times.

Fair enough, I see your point regarding supervision.

 

[hightower]

A bit of advice for you, be careful what you write, you could end up in court with comments like that.

I haven't said anything wrong, only that I've heard stories which is truth. I haven't mentioned any stories directly, and I haven't said that any of these stories ate factual only that I could believe them which is nothing more than a statement of opinion

 

[Guest77]

I haven't said anything wrong, only that I've heard stories which is truth. I haven't mentioned any stories directly, and I haven't said that any of these stories ate factual only that I could believe them which is nothing more than a statement of opinion

You don't need to explain yourself to me, just the local county council Barrister thats all if your ever prosecuted lol.

 

[hightower]

Point taken, can't edit post, can mod help?

 

[Aurai]

CRB Checks

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks are now called Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.

Are not quite like a badge or certificate that you can arrange for yourself. The School can ask for CRB checked staff only, but the school would have to organise the check. It is a subject area for specialists, up to a point, but if you are not left alone with children, do not have regular access to the same children you would usually not need to be checked.

That does not mean you cannot use common sense, do not work anywhere near children without a teacher present and so on.

Cheers