tree work in schools

[simonm]

Do they do crb checks on you before your allowed to work on site?

[WorcsWuss]

Sort of. They can CRB check you but you will probably have to pay.

If you are not left unattended with pupils technically you don't need to be CRB checked.

We just get our site managers CRB'd and they escort anyone who isn't if they go outside the work area.

[simonm]

We do quite a bit of building work for schools, they're a peculiar thing.

There are various different types of school, some with more autonomy than others.

As an independent looking to work direct [which is far more preferable than tendering LA run schools projects if you're small and don't have time to produce huge quotes] you need to target specific types of schools.

 

The new academies control their own budget and spending. These are GOOD.

 

Foundation schools [ex grammars etc] are state schools which have some money of their own, might own the site and the council leases it back, that sort of thing]. These are GOOD.

Th

Church schools sometimes have projects funded by the local diocese, so approach the school and / or the vicar at the attached church, depending on how closely they work.

 

Private schools can do what they like. Many are struggling a bit financially at the moment unless they have the facility to accept large numbers of foreig students. These are also GOOD.

 

PFI schools, usually called 'community college' or similar, are just rented space for teachers. As stated, all the maintenance is carried out by private contractors working for the PFI consortium's management company. These are OK but will screw you.

 

State schools, the traditional primary & high schools, have little control over their budgets and generally wouldn't bother spending what little they do have for themselves on something which they could throw back at the LA on safety grounds. You will struggle with these unless you can get on the council framework and become the go to guy for that small area. These are RUBBISH!

 

To find out what sort of school you're looking at, check their website or phone them up and ask. If they're worth chasing try to speak to the Business Manager, Site Manager or Head teacher.

 

Hope that helps...

 

Thanks for that its really really helpfull

[RobRainford]

I have relatives working at a nearby primary school. I was approached by said relative but then the school took over and dealt with me direct. They are pleased with my work standard and are happy to offer me more work recommended by their tree inspector.

[simonm]

I have relatives working at a nearby primary school. I was approached by said relative but then the school took over and dealt with me direct. They are pleased with my work standard and are happy to offer me more work recommended by their tree inspector.

 

Tree inspector?

[Amelanchier]

Tree management is often tacked on to grounds maintenance contracts and subbed out from whoever is fixing fences and mowing the grass. That's who you need to approach.

 

Can be a closed shop though. In my neck of the woods, state schools are run by the county council, who (quite legally) own a company with a subsidiary that undertakes grounds maintenance (under binding contract) for schools. A veritable money-go-round. You can get an oppourtunity to tender for the tree work but because of the contracts, you'll hardly ever get the consultancy. Either way a surcharge is applied to your fee. In my view a very bad deal for schools.

[pie eater pete]

I still work for a local school as Site Manager and can tell you its very much a case of who you know when your tendering for work. Local building company who i wont name keep getting work and their standard of workmanship is appalling but yet still keep getting asked back.

[WorcsWuss]

I still work for a local school as Site Manager and can tell you its very much a case of who you know when your tendering for work. Local building company who i wont name keep getting work and their standard of workmanship is appalling but yet still keep getting asked back.

 

This story can apply to any area. It is not down to who you know at the school though, it's who you know at County Hall. Local Authorities aren't quite as transparent as we all think / hope, they are staffed by human beings after all.... We have a very similar situation here, a contractor keeps getting thrown off the approved list and then blow me, next summer, he's mopping up work all over the place again.... we've put some of it right before, it's a bloody disgrace. Local government can be bent as hell as well as being shockingly inefficient.

 

Talking of their fee, 20% is the norm taken from a budget here for 'professional services', which goes straight back into county hall to fund their ivory towers.... As said, FAR from a good deal for schools and sadly, it's the kids who get the crap end of all this...

[RobRainford]

Tree inspector?

 

i dont know who it is who surveys their trees, but they said they have a guy who comes round and reports on them. Although i picked up on things he didnt while i was there. I am yet to see the report, although i have asked for it so i can plan some work for them.

[Dak]

All the schools I have done have been through grounds maintenance firms, Same goes for uni's, hospitals its seems most councils have outsourced..