How the Leicestershire Academies Insurance Scheme enables schools to tackle flood risk

Overview

The Leicestershire Academies Insurance Scheme covers 118 schools, including both primary and secondary institutions across the wider Leicestershire and Rutland area. Running for over 10 years, the scheme supports schools with risk management and provides insurance cover for a diverse range of building types, from Victorian-era structures and 1960s stock to modern buildings with contemporary extensions.

The scheme is managed by a dedicated team at Leicestershire County Council, who act as the primary liaison between participating schools and Zurich Municipal.

The problem

During their initial risk assessment work with Zurich, 10 schools were flagged as having increased flood risk. Since the Leicestershire Academy Schools Trust forms part of Leicestershire County Council, they have a strong duty of care to minimise educational disruption.

There was a significant flood event in the Great Glen area in 2021, which resulted in a nearby assisted living facility suffering £500,000 in damages. Located nearby was St Cuthbert's Primary School which, although not directly impacted in this instance, was highlighted as a potential risk due to its location.

"We've seen how devastating it can be. In 2018, a primary school suffered severe weather damage, and it took years to rebuild. The impact on children's education can be profound."

James Colford, Head of Insurance, Leicestershire Academies Insurance Scheme

The solution

After being introduced to Previsico through their insurer, Zurich Municipal, the Leicestershire Academies Insurance Scheme began exploring how the service could support flood-impacted sites. The team are the first responders to the alerts issued by Previsico. They engage a third-party provider to carry out the initial assessment and mitigation. "We're not interested in simply purchasing insurance and hoping for the best, we want to be proactive," said Mr Colford.

The team recognises the critical importance of having clear flood risk assessments and response plans in place. "We're particularly interested in starting with a single school as a pilot, so we can support them in developing and refining their flood response procedures," he added.

Ultimately, their goal is clear: to minimise disruption, prevent losses, and empower schools to take a proactive approach to flood resilience.

Benefits

• Minimises educational disruption, ensuring schools remain operational during and after flood events and protecting children's access to consistent education.
• Supports schools in developing and implementing effective flood action plans and response processes.
• Reduces financial losses by preventing costly damage to buildings, equipment and resources through early warning systems and mitigation measures.
• Helps reduce claims, potentially lowering insurance premiums across the scheme.
• Helps with safety measures, as timely alerts and responses keep everyone clear on how to react to extreme weather events.
• Enables focused deployment of emergency and maintenance teams to high-risk sites, improving efficiency.
• Builds long-term resilience and encourages a culture of preparedness and risk awareness within school communities and local authorities.