Harbour Schools Trust is one of Devon’s largest Multi Academy Trusts, operating 36 schools across the county. As the Trust has expanded, maintaining consistently high standards across dozens of sites has become increasingly important, while also reducing the operational burden placed on school leaders and the central estates team.
Archway has worked with the Trust for more than five years, providing commercial cleaning services across a growing number of its primary schools and becoming a trusted long-term facilities partner.
Like many rural education providers, Harbour Schools Trust faced a recurring challenge: recruiting and retaining reliable cleaning staff.
Several village schools had experienced poor service from incumbent contractors. Staff shortages regularly left sites uncovered, while inconsistent management meant problems were often left unresolved. Alongside operational issues, the Trust also identified weaknesses around training, risk assessments and COSHH documentation that fell below the standards expected of a large education organisation.
As the Trust grew from 16 schools to 24 and now 36, cleaning needed to become something that happened seamlessly in the background.
For Sam Lydon-Drake, Deputy Estates Lead, success is straightforward:
“I need to have a company that I can rely on. If they have staff sickness, Archway just cover it without me even being aware of it. The less issues I hear, the better.”
Schools also have limited budgets, making value for money essential. But price alone isn’t enough if service quality suffers.
Archway was initially appointed to support two primary schools where previous cleaning arrangements had become unreliable.
The difference was quickly evident. Rather than requiring constant intervention, Archway provided dependable staffing, responsive local management, proactive quality control and effective communication. As the Trust expanded and inherited schools using other providers, several additional cleaning contracts were then also transferred to Archway.
When the overall contract value eventually exceeded the public procurement threshold, Harbour Schools Trust undertook a formal competitive tender.
Although other suppliers submitted bids, Sam explains that Archway were not just very price competitive, but also had the advantage of a proven delivery capability.
“We wanted to continue with Archway because of their delivery and their speed. If there’s any issues, as long as it’s highlighted to them, they tend to do something about it very quickly. Whereas with larger companies, the issues aren’t addressed in the same way.”
Today, Archway supports a number of Harbour Schools Trust’s primary schools across Devon, providing routine cleaning alongside holiday deep cleans and specialist carpet cleaning where required.
For Sam, the greatest benefit is confidence.
Cleaning is a critical service, but one that shouldn’t demand management attention every day. Headteachers know they can raise issues directly with Archway, and in practice very few concerns ever reach the Trust’s central estates team.
Formal audits are systemically provided by Archway, but they’re rarely challenged because issues are typically resolved long before escalation becomes necessary.
The Trust also values Archway’s local operating model. With many schools located in rural communities, a company who can recruit and manage locally based cleaners helps with recruitment, sustainability and service continuity.
As Harbour Schools Trust continues to evolve, Archway has established itself as a dependable long-term partner that allows the estates team to focus on strategic priorities rather than day-to-day facilities management issues.
Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club is home to one of the UK’s leading Premiership rugby teams and operates one of Devon’s largest conference and events venues. Alongside elite sport, the stadium hosts corporate events, hospitality, conferences and community activities throughout the year.
Archway Facilities has provided commercial cleaning services to Exeter Chiefs for around three years, supporting the club’s demanding operational schedule with consistent, high-quality service.
Harbour Schools Trust is one of Devon’s largest Multi Academy Trusts, operating 36 schools across the county. As the Trust has expanded, maintaining consistently high standards across dozens of sites has become increasingly important, while also reducing the operational burden placed on school leaders and the central estates team.
Archway has worked with the Trust for more than five years, providing commercial cleaning services across a growing number of its primary schools and becoming a trusted long-term facilities partner.
As one of the UK’s rapidly growing full fibre network providers, AllPoints Fibre Networks has undergone significant organisational change in recent years. Following the consolidation of several regional fibre businesses and a strategic shift away from network construction towards wholesale connectivity, the company reduced its national property portfolio from more than 20 sites to just three.
Throughout that period of rapid change, Archway Facilities provided commercial cleaning services across multiple Devon locations, supporting everything from a busy operational depot to the company’s flagship £2 million Exeter headquarters.
Although the contract ultimately ended as part of the company’s wider property consolidation programme, Property Manager Justin Doulin describes the relationship as “100% positive from cradle to grave”, highlighting not only the quality of the service, but the professionalism with which it was concluded.
A long-term partnership built on trust, professionalism and consistency
Michelmores is one of the UK’s leading law firms, providing legal services to businesses and private clients from its Exeter headquarters. As Facilities Manager, Andy Heard is responsible for ensuring the firm’s offices remain immaculate, welcoming and secure for both employees and visiting clients.
Archway Facilities has provided Michelmores’ commercial cleaning services for almost a decade, delivering a consistently high standard of service backed by responsive communication, dependable people and long-term continuity.
