Download our eBook on ‘how to obtain funding and improve the condition of your estate’

This eBook is aimed at all academies who would like to determine the condition of their school estate, collect the relevant documentation and obtain the best funding to provide the optimum learning environment for your pupils.

When a school converts to an academy trust, they are legally responsible for their own financial management and the condition of their estate. Taking on this new status means that single and multiple academy trusts need to ensure the buildings and facilities are well maintained and in good working order.

Having a complete picture of the physical condition of your estate will help you understand the current state of the building fabric. It will identify any areas of non-compliance, remedial works required and provide evidence to support funding applications.

The ebook covers the following aspects:

Who is responsible for managing estate buildings

Our handy checklist will guide you on what building and capital asset responsibilities your academy is responsible for.

Best practices of Good Estate Management (GEM)

Understanding the best practices of estate management including the condition, suitability and sufficiency of estate infrastructure.

Establishing the condition of your estate

Building a comprehensive picture of the infrastructure and material state of your estate is crucial and documentary evidence of the condition is supported by the Property Data Survey, Condition Data Collection Program and Condition Survey.

What is a condition survey

The sole purpose of a condition survey is to have an all-inclusive overview of the physical, mechanical & electrical condition of your buildings and facilities.

Sources of funding for condition improvement

Each year the Government make funding and grants available to academies and schools to bid for the capital required for their projects. The capital funds include: Devolved Formula Capital Funding (DFC), Condition Improvement Funding (CIF) and School Condition Allocation (SCA).

Condition Improvement fund

The CIF fund is centered around addressing significant condition needs and a small proportion of expansion projects.

School Condition Allocation

The SCA fund is used to keep academy buildings in good condition for larger MATs

Other sources of funding

In addition, there are several other funding options available to schools and academies. The Urgent Capital Support (UCF) Fund addresses urgent building conditions issues whilst Operating Leases enable you to gain capital by renting an asset for you school. Section 106 is for when housing growth places addition pressure on schools.

We hope you find this brief guide on “How to obtain funding and improve the condition of your estate” useful.

To register and download your copy of the ebook, please click on the button below.