Education

Industry Overview

We strengthen the operational backbone of education, making every process more efficient so future‑ready people can thrive.

Education settings are some of the busiest and most public‑facing environments in the UK from schools and colleges to universities and research campuses. These are open communities with complex daily flows of pupils, students, staff, parents, contractors and visitors, alongside sensitive safeguarding responsibilities and an increasing reliance on digital services.

At the same time, many education estates are under sustained pressure. National scrutiny highlights safety concerns and long‑term maintenance needs across school buildings, while RAAC remediation continues to be a major programme in England.

Industry Challenges

01

Cyber security risk and operational disruption across schools, colleges and universities

Cyber incidents are highly prevalent in education, with the UK Cyber Security Breaches Survey reporting breaches/attacks over the last 12 months at 60% of secondary schools, 85% of FE colleges, and 91% of HE institutions (and 44% of primary schools). The NCSC also provides dedicated guidance for schools and emphasises governance and resilience measures to reduce likelihood and impact of attacks.

02

Ageing estates, safety risk and the urgent need for refurbishment/rebuild programmes

The NAO has reported that the condition of the school estate is declining and highlighted safety concerns, with many pupils learning in schools requiring significant rebuilding or refurbishment. This drives ongoing demand for strong infrastructure planning, safe delivery controls and disruption‑minimising logistics.

03

RAAC remediation and continuity of face‑to‑face education

The Department for Education has set out timelines to permanently remove RAAC from schools and colleges in England and continues to manage delivery through grants and the School Rebuilding Programme. Practical guidance for responsible bodies includes restricting access to confirmed RAAC spaces until mitigations are in place and maintaining face‑to‑face education through temporary accommodation and operational planning.

04

Attendance, persistent absence and the “last‑mile” barriers to participation

DfE accredited statistics for autumn and spring 2024/25 show an overall absence rate of 6.63% and 17.63% of pupils persistently absent (missing 10% or more sessions), with absence still above pre‑pandemic levels. Sustained absence affects safeguarding visibility, learner outcomes and day‑to‑day operational planning for schools and local systems.

05

Safeguarding online and evolving regulatory expectations around harmful content

The Online Safety Act introduced phased duties on platforms to protect users from illegal content (from 17 March 2025) and to protect children online (from 25 July 2025), with Ofcom publishing and enforcing codes and guidance. While these duties fall on online services, they shape the safeguarding environment education leaders must navigate, including expectations around age assurance, reporting and online harm prevention.

06

Workplace safety, wellbeing and managing incidents in public‑facing settings

HSE data estimates 689,000 incidents of violence at work in 2024/25, reinforcing the need for practical prevention and response procedures in people‑facing environments. For education sites, this translates into clearer access control, safer reception points, and consistent incident reporting and escalation.

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Featured Capabilities

Support

Intelligence & Security Consultancy Services

We turn uncertainty into insight and insight into confident action.

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Optimise

Visitor Management Systems

A seamless, secure visitor journey, from pre-registration to sign-out.

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Move

Waste Management

We design and run a smart, compliant waste programme from on‑site segregation and scheduled removals to reverse logistics via consolidation, so your project cuts waste, lowers emissions and keeps workfaces clean and safe.

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Secure

ID Administration, Access & Vehicle Search

Right people, right place, right time, every time.

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Support

Medical Response Teams

Rapid care. Calm control. Proven assurance.

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