Why We've Measured More Schools in One Week Than We Normally Do in 2 Months
Some weeks make you stop and think.
Normally, I'd expect to visit two or three schools in a month to measure for new blinds.
Last week, I measured eight.
As I drove between schools across Leicestershire, it dawned on me that this wasn't simply a busy week. At almost every school, I found myself having the same conversation. Different buildings. Different site managers. Different headteachers.
But the same concerns kept coming up.
After years of working with schools, I've learned that when the same questions keep appearing, it's usually because something bigger is changing.
This time, three clear themes emerged.
1. The Heatwave Has Changed Priorities
The recent spell of hot weather has clearly had an impact.
Several schools told me classrooms had become so uncomfortable they had to rethink how they were being used. Others said they wanted to act now rather than risk facing the same problems if another heatwave arrives.
Most of the windows we measured were south-facing classrooms where glare and heat make teaching far more difficult than it needs to be.
Roller blinds won't stop a heatwave, but they can make classrooms noticeably more comfortable, reduce glare on interactive screens and create a better learning environment for both pupils and staff.
One thing surprised me most.
In previous years, overheating was often seen as something schools simply had to put up with. This year, many seem to have reached the point where they're deciding it's worth fixing before next summer arrives.
Fabric choice is really important. One school wanted anthracite grey fabric. Great choice as it went well with the decor and would hide scuffs and scrapes compared to lighter colours.
The problem with their old blinds is it was anthracite grey inside the classroom and anthracite outside and that choice made the classrooms even hotter.
Our recommendation was anthracite colour to the front but white facing outside to reflect as much heat as possible.
2. Privacy Is Becoming Just As Important As Sunlight
Another topic that came up repeatedly had nothing to do with the weather.
It was about security.
As schools continue reviewing their emergency procedures and considering the requirements of Martyn's Law alongside wider safety planning, several are now fitting blinds to windows that have never previously needed them.
Not because they need shade.
Because, in the event of an emergency, classrooms may need to be screened quickly from outside view.
It's an interesting shift.
For many years, blinds in schools were mainly seen as a way of controlling sunlight or improving comfort.
Increasingly, they're also becoming part of wider planning around privacy, wellbeing and security.
Find out more about Martyn's law
3. Summer Is Still the Best Time to Get the Work Done
There's also a practical reason why enquiries always increase at this time of year.
The six-week summer holiday provides the perfect opportunity to complete larger installations without disrupting lessons.
Schools understandably want everything finished before pupils return in September, which means measurements need to happen before the end of term so manufacturing can begin straight away.
That timeline leaves very little room for delay.
From Measuring Tape to Manufacturing
Those eight surveys have already created a busy production schedule for our Leicester factory.
Current projects include:
- 70 roller blinds for a school in Loughborough.
- 46 roller blinds for a school in Syston.
- 15 roller blinds and 8 Perfect Fit blinds for a school in Leicester.
- 5 Vertical Blinds for a school in Evington
- 3 Roller blinds for a school in Hamilton
- 2 Roller Blinds for a school in Rothley
- 14 Roller Blinds for a school in Aylestone
Over the next few weeks our manufacturing and installation teams will be working flat out, but there's something particularly rewarding about seeing classrooms ready for the start of a new school year.
With all the blinds made in our Leicester factory we have total control over timescales and installation dates.
Looking Ahead
Every year seems to bring a different trend.
Some years it's energy efficiency.
Some years it's refurbishment programmes.
This summer, the conversations have been different.
Schools are thinking more seriously about keeping classrooms comfortable during extreme weather, improving privacy as part of wider safety planning and making the most of the summer holidays to complete projects before September.
When you hear the same concerns in eight different schools in the space of a week, you start to realise they aren't isolated conversations.
They're a sign that priorities are changing.
And if last week is anything to go by, blinds are no longer being viewed as simply a finishing touch. They're becoming part of creating classrooms that are more comfortable, more secure and better prepared for whatever the next school year brings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are more schools installing blinds this year?
From what we've seen, three factors are driving demand: managing classroom temperatures after the recent heatwave, improving privacy as part of wider security planning, and completing projects during the six-week summer holidays while buildings are empty.
What types of blinds are best for classrooms?
Roller blinds remain the most popular choice for schools because they're durable, easy to operate and effective at reducing glare on whiteboards and interactive displays. The right fabric will depend on how the room is used and how much light control is required.
Can blinds help keep classrooms cooler?
While blinds won't replace air conditioning, they can significantly reduce solar gain and glare in south-facing classrooms by limiting direct sunlight entering the room. This helps create a more comfortable learning environment for pupils and staff.
Are schools installing blinds for privacy as well as sunlight?
Yes. Increasingly, schools are considering blinds as part of wider privacy and security planning, as well as for controlling sunlight. Every school's requirements are different, but privacy has become a much more common consideration during recent site surveys.
Why do schools arrange installations during the summer holidays?
The summer break allows larger projects to be completed without disrupting lessons. Measuring before the end of term also gives enough time for blinds to be manufactured and installed before pupils return in September.
How long does a school blinds project take?
It depends on the size of the project. Once we've completed a site survey and confirmed the specification, we'll provide a clear timescale for manufacturing and installation so schools know exactly what to expect.
Do you carry out free site surveys for schools?
Yes. We can visit your school, measure each window, discuss suitable blind options and provide a detailed quotation with no obligation.
Which areas do you cover?
We regularly work with schools throughout Leicester and Leicestershire supplying and installing made-to-measure blinds for classrooms, offices, halls and other educational spaces.
About Phil Coleman
Phil Coleman is the fifth generation of his family to run Barlow Blinds, a Leicester business that has been making blinds since 1887. With over 30 years of hands-on experience, Phil has played a leading role in shaping industry standards including being part of the team that wrote the only NVQ qualification for blind and shutter installers. He also serves on the Management Committee of the British Blind & Shutter Association (BBSA), helping to set best practice across the trade. Under his leadership, Barlow Blinds has remained true to its founding principle: “It’s not our job to find customers for our blinds, it’s our job to find the right blinds for our customers.”
Article Review & Accuracy
Reviewed by: Phil Coleman, Managing Director, Barlow Blinds
Last reviewed: July 2026
Our promise
If new evidence, products or British Standards change our advice, we'll update this article. If we make a mistake, we'll correct it.
This article forms part of the Barlow Blinds Knowledge Centre and is written or personally reviewed by Phil Coleman, drawing on more than 35 years' experience, guidance from the British Blind & Shutter Association (BBSA), British Standards where applicable, manufacturer technical information and real customer feedback.
Major updates to this article are shown at the top or bottom of the page.
