Due to be announced in May 2025, almost £470 million has been pledged for schools eligible for the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), representing a 4.4 per cent increase from last year's £446 million allocation.
This CIF funding is in addition to the recent announcement of the School Condition Allocations (SCA) 2025-26 on 31st March 2025.
However, the recent article in Schools Week (4th April 2025) highlights that the country's school repair bill is “almost certain” to exceed official estimates of £13.8 billion. This £13.8 billion figure from the National Audit Office was reported in January 2025 in their ‘Maintaining Public Service Report’.
A proactive and strategic approach to estate management is therefore essential to create efficiencies when planning capital expenditures across a school estate, enabling funding to be targeted in the most cost-effective manner and to maximise their impact on the school estate.
How we can help:
A variety of tools can also be utilized to support strategic planning. Feasibility studies and options appraisals, also recommended in the Department for Education's Good Estate Management for Schools Guidance, help identify optimal solutions to meet a school's needs.
Additionally, detailed planned preventive maintenance surveys provide a comprehensive assessment of the building's current condition, along with a costed and prioritised programme of works that considers project timing to achieve economies of scale.
Comprehensive stakeholder consultation during the strategic planning process also ensures spending is focused on actual needs and priorities rather than wants.
Synergy's team are specialists in this field and assist in maximising the impact of available funding, achieving economies of scale, and ultimately enhancing the learning environment for students and staff.
Synergy’s team understands the complexities involved in planning and managing capital repair, maintenance, and development projects, focusing on ensuring each project meets the immediate needs of the school estate whilst also contributing to its long-term sustainability and resilience. Please contact us here to find out how we can help your school (link: https://www.synergyllp.co.uk/contact/)
References:
Schools week- School repairs: Bill ‘much higher’ than £13.8bn estimate
Good Estate Management for Schools - Good estate management for schools - Guidance - GOV.UK
School Capital Funding Allocations (SCA) - School capital funding - GOV.UK
NAO - Maintaining Public Service Report - Maintaining public service facilities summary