Latest Good Estate Management for Schools (GEMS) guide

New tools and updated advice have been included in the DfE’s latest edition of its Good Estate Management for Schools (GEMS) guide to help schools, academies and Multi-Academy Trusts make the most of their estate’s resources and allow for a more secure future.

Taking a strategic approach to your estate management can bring benefits across many areas, such as: reducing running costs and getting better deals (e.g. saving 40% on photocopying); making better decisions on prioritising investment and securing value for money; fewer accidents caused by poor buildings as well as improved outcomes and morale from safe, appealing and well maintained learning and teaching spaces; using less energy and water (saving up to 30%) and increasing awareness of sustainability.

So what has changed?

The original GEMS guidance published in 2018 has just been updated to include:

• a new tool to help you prioritise maintenance projects and tasks

• a new compliance tracker to help you keep on top of your responsibilities

Other changes include:

1. The fundamentals of good estate management section has been reviewed and refreshed so you can easily see key requirements at a glance.

2. The revised health and safety section includes more information on your responsibilities, along with updated guidance and links.

3. The skills and knowledge section now provides links to:

   • the competency framework for governing boards

   • a new competency framework for school estate managers

   • how to secure professional support

4. The buying goods and services section is easier to read with an updated framework to help you buy and manage specialist professional services such as those provided by Surveyors to Education. Latest deals for schools are also listed.

5. Clarified content in the understanding tenure and land ownership section.

S2e has the expertise to support you with every aspect of estate management from condition assessments to capital projects, budgeting and procurement to obtaining funding from sources you may not have known exist.

Having our professional help can ease the burden and help your colleagues gain the knowledge and confidence to make your school’s vision a reality.

For more information please get in touch by calling 01530 877969 or emailing enquire@s2e.org.uk.