Article Campus winter safety: How schools can reduce slips & liability Author: Winter Maintenance Team Share: The challenge: Schools and colleges face increasing risks during winter months, with icy conditions leading to slips, trips, and costly insurance claims. The solution: Implementing a proactive winter gritting and snow clearance programme that ensures student, staff, and visitor safety while meeting duty-of-care obligations. The outcome: Reduced accidents, fewer closures, and peace of mind through reliable, compliant, and sustainably managed winter maintenance. Why winter gritting matters for schools and campuses Every winter, hundreds of schools across the UK face closures or accidents caused by untreated ice and snow. Beyond the operational disruption, these incidents often lead to reputational damage and insurance liability. Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act (1957), education providers have a legal duty to take “reasonable care” to ensure that people on their premises are safe — including keeping paths, car parks, and access routes ice-free. A planned gritting and snow clearance programme helps schools mitigate this risk, ensuring safety and continuity while demonstrating responsible estate management. Where gritting services add the most value Campus AreaRisk FocusService ApproachEntrances & main walkwaysHigh footfall, high risk of slipsScheduled gritting before freezing temperaturesCar parks & drop-off zonesVehicle accidents and congestionMechanical salt spreading and snow clearanceSports facilitiesSafety for early morning sessionsTargeted pre-treatment and post-event clearanceExternal stairways & rampsSlip risk for pupils and visitorsManual salt spreading and snow shovellingStaff & service areasAccess for deliveries and maintenance24/7 monitoring and on-call response Practical benefits of professional winter gritting Nurture’s Winter Gritting Services division supports schools, colleges, and universities nationwide with proactive, 24/7 winter maintenance solutions. Key service features include: Automated weather monitoring using Met Office forecasts. Pre-scheduled gritting aligned to site-specific trigger temperatures. Out-of-hours operations for zero disruption during school hours. Real-time service reporting via GPS-tracked vehicles. Fully electric and low-emission fleet for sustainable delivery. These services provide not only operational reliability but also traceable compliance documentation — ensuring your site meets insurance and legal requirements throughout the winter season. Winter Maintenance Services | Snow & Ice Management Case Study – Roadchef Ensuring safe access under pressure While this case focuses on Roadchef, one of the UK’s largest motorway service area operators, it illustrates the same principles schools rely on for winter safety: proactive monitoring, precision planning, and guaranteed continuity. Nurture Winter Gritting supported over 30 high-footfall sites, providing: Real-time weather monitoring and GPS-tracked activations. Site-specific service plans for 24/7 accessibility. Fixed-price seasonal contracts for cost control. Zero unplanned closures during severe weather. Read the full case study What Questions Should Facilities and Estates Teams Ask? Do we have a defined trigger point for when gritting begins? How do we verify that our winter maintenance provider has attended? Are our contractors using sustainable, low-emission equipment? What contingency plans are in place for overnight frost or snow events? Do we hold records to demonstrate compliance with duty-of-care legislation? At a glance for Senior Leaders Facilities Teams Reduce accident risk and unplanned closures through reliable, evidence-based gritting coverage. Health & Safety Managers Ensure compliance with duty-of-care and insurance obligations. Sustainability Leads Benefit from electric fleets, reduced salt waste, and sustainable operations. Finance and Operations Prevent costly claims, overtime, and disruption through proactive service delivery. Keep your students, staff and visitors safe of school estates Talk to our Winter Maintenance team Get in touch with our Winter Maintenance team Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Don’t leave safety to chance. Share your details below and we’ll prepare a winter maintenance plan that protects your people, property, and reputation. Phone site Name Name *Email *Phone number *PostcodeTell us about your site *Privacy Policy *I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.Newsletter opt inSign me up for seasonal insights, news, compliance updates, and expert guidance.Send enquiry Frequently Asked Questions Do schools have a legal obligation to grit paths and car parks? Yes. Under UK health and safety legislation, schools must take reasonable steps to prevent accidents caused by icy or slippery surfaces. How early should gritting be carried out? Gritting should occur before frost forms — typically the evening prior, based on weather monitoring and temperature forecasts. What if snow falls overnight? Professional providers offer 24/7 response and return visits to clear snow, ensuring site safety before staff and students arrive. Can winter gritting be delivered sustainably? Yes. Nurture Gritting Services uses electric vehicles, GPS route optimisation, and minimal salt waste strategies to lower environmental impact. How do I prove compliance if an accident occurs? Clients receive timestamped service reports, GPS logs, and photographic evidence to demonstrate due diligence.
