Deadline for Post-16 capacity fund is near

October 12, 2022 Adam Richards

If pupil numbers are increasing but your premises can’t take the strain, the Post-16 Capacity Fund could be the answer.

There is less than a month left to apply for the next round of funding worth up to £4 million per project – and many sixth forms and colleges are taking advantage of professional help to submit a winning bid.

The Post-16 Capacity Fund allows colleges and sixth forms to bid for cash to extend their premises when they need to expand their pupil intake.

Providers of 16 to 19 education can apply for capital investment to accommodate a demographic increase in learners in September 2024 where there is not enough existing room for them.

The Fund was set up by the Government so schools can expand in the most efficient and sustainable way possible, and to ensure value for money in the investment of public funds.

Competition for funding is tough and money will be allocated on a points system, but applicants are allowed to spend up to 10% of their budget – more in complex cases – on professional help, such as from chartered surveyors.

As qualified chartered surveyors specialising in education, Surveyors to Education (S2e) are in a prime position to help.

Post-16 Capacity Fund key dates

Deadline to express an interest in the fund: 14 October 2022
Deadline for all applicants to submit applications: 11 November 2022
The Department for Education to notify applicants of outcome: Spring 2023
Project to be completed: 31 August 2024

Minimum project threshold is £200,000, while maximum project threshold is £4 million.

What building work is eligible?

There are likely to be two types of building works eligible for support:

those that increase the overall gross internal floor area (GIFA) of learning space and associated functional areas or facilities; or
those that reconfigure the estate within the existing GIFA to accommodate more learners.

All investment made through this fund must meet stringent requirements, including:

projects must increase capacity to accommodate at least 30 additional learners aged 16-19 in September 2024
capital investment should be made into an asset held on freehold or long lease (125+ years) at a peppercorn or nominal rental
the new space must be used primarily for education of 16-19 year olds (although it is expected that adult education or key stages 1-4 may also benefit)
where funding is requested for demolition and rebuilding, demolished blocks must be in poor condition and additional capacity provided in the replacement accommodation.

Exclusions include:

purchase of land, except in exceptional circumstances where there is a strong value-for-money justification
estate expansion already being addressed through other local and central government grant funding.

Advantage of professional consultants

The DfE is ready to fund professional consultants who can help schools achieve best value for money. It specifies: “Professional fees can be included in project costs where these are proportionate and necessary to the delivery of the project for which you are applying for Post-16 Capacity Fund support.”

It adds: “We do not normally expect these fees to be above 10% of the total project value, however, for larger projects, the technical complexity of the works may justify higher fees.”

As the rules for applying for the Post-16 Capacity Fund can be daunting and the process time consuming, S2e advises engaging expert advisors to help put together the strongest possible case.

The Fund will favour bids from applicants demonstrating the greatest need for additional capacity, strong project planning and those presenting the best value for money. It is important that plans are realistic and deliverable.

What applicants must prove

Applicants need to include historic, existing and projected future annual data for 16-19 demographic growth and student demand for their institution.

They must also:

explain why additional learners cannot be accommodated by another local provider
consider how project proposals align with national and local skills needs and provide long term value for money
ensure the project will support the Government’s targets on sustainability and net zero carbon emissions.

Note: Academies and MATs offering 20% or more in match funding will score more points in the judging process.

If an academy is part of a MAT, applications must be completed and submitted by the MAT on behalf of the academy. One application can be submitted per academy.