Frequently asked questions
1. Does my school definitely need an Access Audit / Accessibility Plan?
Yes. The law states that all schools, as from 1st September 2012, must have an Accessibility Plan. In order to have an Accessibility Plan, you must first have an Access Audit. If you do not have one, you are breaking the law.
2. How often does my Accessibility Plan need to be renewed?
Your Accessibility Plan must be renewed every 3 years.
3. My school is a new building, does that mean I do not need an Access Audit?
All schools, regardless of the type of building, must have an Accessibility Plan in place. It is important to remember that "Access to the Building" is only 1/3 of your Accessibility Plan - 'Access to the Curriculum' and 'Access to the Written Word' are also covered.
4. How long does it take to perform an Access Audit at my school?
This depends on the size of your school. Generally, a Primary School would take around half a day, and a Secondary School would take around a full day.
5. Once you have visited my school, how long will it take for you to send me the official Accessibility Plan?
We will send you your School Accessibility Plan within 2 weeks of your School Access Audit.
6. How much does an Access Audit cost?
This again depends on the size of your school. Costs start from £650.
7. There are no SEN children at my school, does this mean I do not need an Access Audit/Accessibility Plan?
Yes, it is the law that you have an Accessibility Plan in place. It is also worth noting that the Accessibility Plan not only covers your pupils, but also visitors and members of staff.
8. Can I download a checklist online and perform the School Access Audit myself?
It is possible to perform an access audit of a building following a checklist that can be found on the internet. These checklists usually refer to any building and are not bespoke for schools. However, these checklists do not account for 'access to information' and 'access to the curriculum' which make up 2/3 of your School Accessibility Plan.
