School Grounds Maintenance
School Grounds Maintenance Across North London and Hertfordshire
Keeping school grounds looking good and staying safe is not a small task. Between the trees, hedges, playing fields, and all those little corners that seem to get overgrown the moment you turn your back, there's always something that needs attention.
At Thor's Trees, we help schools across North London and Hertfordshire stay on top of it all, so you can get on with the important stuff.
Why Quick Storm Response Matters
Storm-damaged trees pose immediate risks - hanging branches can fall without warning, split trunks may collapse unexpectedly, and root-lifted trees threaten buildings and underground services. Beyond safety concerns,
exposed wood invites disease and decay that can spread to healthy trees. Professional storm damage cleanup protects both people and property while giving damaged trees their best chance of recovery.
Why School Grounds Maintenance Matters
School grounds are where children run around at break time, where outdoor lessons happen, and often the first thing parents see when they visit. When grounds are well kept, it shows. And when they're not, that shows too.
There's also the safety side to think about. Trees that haven't been checked in a while can drop branches without warning. Overgrown hedges block sightlines and stumps become trip hazards. None of this is dramatic until something goes wrong, and then it really matters.
Regular maintenance keeps on top of these things before they become problems.
School Grounds Maintenance Services
We offer a full range of services for schools, academies, and nurseries. Most schools don't need everything all at once, so we're happy to pick and choose based on what your site actually needs.
Tree Care and Tree Surveys for Schools
Trees are brilliant for school grounds, providing shade, habitats, and a bit of green in the concrete jungle. But they do need looking after -
we handle inspections, pruning, crown reductions, deadwood removal, and full removals when a tree has reached the end of its life or become unsafe. If you've got trees near classrooms, play equipment, or paths, we can advise on the best way to manage them.
School Hedge Trimming and Boundary Maintenance
A tidy hedge makes a real difference to how a site looks and feels.
We trim hedges and boundary planting on a schedule that works for you, keeping things neat without getting in the way of school life.
Site Clearance
It's amazing how quickly an unused corner of a school site can turn messy. Brambles, nettles, self-seeded saplings, they all move in fast.
We clear overgrown areas and take away all the waste, leaving you with space you can use again.
Stump Grinding and Removal
Old stumps get in the way of mowing, look untidy, and can be a trip hazard. We grind them down below ground level so you can turf over, plant, or pave the area.
Seasonal Grounds Maintenance for Schools
Autumn brings leaves and the need to prepare trees for winter weather. Spring is the time to tidy up and check for storm damage. We can work with you to plan these jobs around the school calendar, fitting them into holidays or quieter periods where possible.
Emergency Tree Services for Schools
Storms happen, and when a tree or branch comes down on a school site, you need it sorted quickly.
We offer emergency callouts to make your site safe as fast as we can, with minimal fuss.
Safe Working on School Grounds
We know that working on school grounds isn't quite the same as working in someone's back garden. Safety matters even more when there are children around, and there are extra hoops to jump through for good reason.
All our team members who work on school sites are DBS checked, and we carry out proper risk assessments before we start any job. We'll coordinate with your site manager or caretaker to plan when and where we're working, and we always fence off our work areas to keep curious little ones at a safe distance.
Where we can, we'll schedule bigger jobs for the holidays. For urgent work during term time, we take extra care to keep everyone safe while we get the job done.
Planned School Grounds Maintenance vs Reactive Work
Lots of schools only call us when something's gone wrong. A branch has come down, a hedge has gotten completely out of hand, or a tree is starting to cause problems with a building. By that point, the job is usually bigger, more expensive, and more disruptive than it would have been with a bit of regular upkeep.
A simple maintenance plan spreads the cost through the year and catches problems while they're still small. It also means you're not fighting for attention with every other school in the area after a big storm. We can put together a schedule that suits your site and your budget, and tweak it as things change.
School Grounds Maintenance Costs
We know school budgets are stretched. Every penny has to be accounted for, and there's never quite enough to go around.
We provide clear quotes with no surprises, and we're happy to help you prioritise if you can't tackle everything at once.
For schools that want ongoing support, we offer annual contracts that give you predictable costs and mean you're never left waiting when you need us. You'll deal with the same people who get to know your site and can spot issues before they become expensive problems.
Get in Touch About School Grounds Maintenance
If your school grounds could do with some attention, we'd love to help. We work with schools of all sizes across North London and Hertfordshire, from small primaries to big secondary sites.
Get in touch to arrange a visit and have a chat about what you need. No pressure, just honest advice and a chance to see if we're a good fit.
Frequently asked questions...
How often should trees on school grounds be inspected?
At least once a year is a good rule of thumb, with extra checks after storms or particularly windy weather. Trees in busy areas or near buildings might need a closer eye. We can help you set up a schedule that keeps you covered.
Can you carry out school grounds maintenance during term time?
Yes, though we try to schedule the bigger, noisier jobs for holidays when we can. For term-time work, we plan carefully with your staff to keep disruption to a minimum and make sure everyone stays safe.
Is your team DBS checked for school work?
Yes, everyone who works on school sites has a valid DBS check. We can provide copies for your safeguarding records.
What happens if a tree comes down on school grounds?
Give us a call straight away. We'll get someone to you as quickly as possible to assess the situation and make the area safe. We'll work with your staff to manage access and keep everyone well clear while we sort it out.
Can you help create a school grounds maintenance plan?
Definitely. We can take a look around your site, work out what needs doing, and put together a plan that makes sense for your budget and timescales. It helps you see the bigger picture and makes it easier to plan ahead.
What do you do with green waste from school sites?
We take it all away and dispose of it properly. If it's useful, we can chip material on site for mulch, which is great around trees and planted areas.