Platform Lift for Schools
How schools use platform lifts to give disabled pupils, staff and visitors access, which lift suits which building, and what to plan for.
Why schools install platform lifts
Under the Equality Act 2010, schools must not discriminate against disabled pupils and must make reasonable adjustments for them. Schools in England and Wales must also have an accessibility plan, setting out how they will improve disabled pupils’ access to the curriculum, to information and to the physical environment of the school. A lift is frequently the biggest single step in the physical part of that plan.
Staff, parents and visitors are covered too. A parent who uses a wheelchair should be able to reach a school hall for a performance; a teacher with a mobility impairment should be able to reach the staffroom. And when part of a school is refurbished or extended, the Building Regulations access requirements in Approved Document M apply to the new work.
Which lift suits which part of a school
Situation | Lift type | Why |
|---|---|---|
A few steps at an entrance or between levels | Step lift | Short rise, often no structural work |
A main staircase that must stay in use | Incline platform lift | Runs along the stairs and folds away |
Upper floors in a multi-storey block | Enclosed platform lift | Serves several floors in its own shaft |
A stage in the school hall | Step lift | Raises a user to stage level for assemblies and performances |
A temporary need during a building project | Portable step lift | Wheeled into place, no fixed installation |
An incline platform lift on a main staircase needs enough width that pupils can still use the stairs safely when the lift is folded. Busy corridors and staircases often favour a vertical lift instead.
Step lifts
Step lifts deal with the short level changes that are everywhere in older schools — a few steps at an entrance, a raised dining area, a stage. They rise straight up and often need little or no building work.
Incline platform lifts
Where a staircase is the only route, an incline platform lift carries a wheelchair user up it on a folding platform. It is often the quickest way to make an upper floor accessible in an older building. Our wheelchair platform lift for stairs guide explains how they work and which staircases suit them.
Enclosed platform lifts
For a multi-storey block used throughout the day, an enclosed platform lift in its own shaft keeps the stairs completely clear and gives a more robust, lockable installation.
Planning a lift for your school?
Tell us about the building, the levels you need to connect and the users, and we’ll match you with vetted installers who can survey the site and recommend the right lift. Free to you, with no obligation.
→ Enquire about a school platform lift
Things schools need to plan for
Who will use it, and how. Some lifts need to be operated independently by pupils; others will be used with a member of staff. Key switches or fobs stop unsupervised use where that’s a concern.
Peak times. A single platform lift moves one wheelchair user at a time at a slow, controlled speed. Plan timetables and room locations with that in mind.
Evacuation. A standard platform lift isn’t usually designed for use in a fire. Disabled pupils and staff on upper floors still need a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP).
Older and listed buildings. Many schools occupy historic buildings. See our guide to a platform lift for listed buildings if consent is likely to be needed.
Building Regulations. New and altered work must meet Approved Document M. Our platform lift building regulations guide covers what it asks for.
Installation timing. Most schools schedule installation for holiday periods to keep disruption away from teaching.
Servicing and inspections
A school is a workplace, so a lift that carries people is lifting equipment under LOLER and needs a thorough examination by a competent person, typically every six months. That is separate from routine servicing, which keeps the lift reliable day to day. Budget for both from the start, and keep the records — inspectors and insurers will ask for them.
What a school platform lift costs
Lift type | From (installed) |
|---|---|
Step lift | £6,389 |
Incline platform lift | £8,000 |
Enclosed platform lift | £10,000 |
Starting prices for supply and installation. School projects often involve extra builder’s work, so a survey gives the firm figure. See our disabled platform lifts prices guide.
For the wider picture across public buildings, see our commercial platform lift and accessible lifts guides.
Arrange a survey
Every school building is different — the levels, the staircases, the structure and the way the site is used. A survey settles which lift fits and what it will cost, free and with no obligation. Tell us about your school and we’ll match you with vetted installers who cover your area. Installers pay us only when we refer a genuine enquiry, so our interest is in matching you well.
→ Get matched with vetted installers
