Download our eBook guide on ‘moving from CIF to SCA funding’

This eBook is aimed at smaller Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) and Single Academy Trusts (SATs) who are currently funded by the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) but through expansion will soon be eligible for the School Condition Allocation (SCA) fund.

In this ebook the following topics are explored

1. SCA Eligibility
   Eligibility is confirmed in the autumn of the previous financial year. To receive SCA funding, multi-academy trusts (MATs) and voluntary aided (VA) bodies must have more than 5 schools or have at least 3,000 pupils counted in the Spring census.

2. How is SCA funding calculated
   Weighted pupil numbers underpin funding levels. For SCA fully weighted pupils for each school are calculated as:
   pupil numbers x phase weight x modernisation factor x location factor x VA factor

3. How much SCA funding will you receive
   Core condition funding is determined on weighted pupil numbers. This is based on the assumption that condition need correlates well with pupil numbers, which are also a good indication of the size of the MAT estate.

4. The main differences between CIF and SCA funding
   The biggest change is that SCA funding provides a regular guaranteed income for condition improvement at a responsible body (MAT) level. This gives a MAT greater flexibility as to which projects are undertaken and when. However, with greater flexibility comes greater responsibility, as the MAT becomes completely accountable for the condition and maintenance of its estate.

5. SCA risks and benefits
   The major benefit of SCA funding for a MAT is that it will receive regular annual funding that it can spend as it sees fit across its estate. A risk is that the amount of SCA funding received does not always match the sum required to meet a MATs condition backlog and/or future commitments.

6. Core requirements
   In order to prioritise the allocation of annual SCA funds, it is important to have a 3 - 5 year strategic estate plan that maps out the order and detail of the condition, refurbishment and expansion work that needs to be carried out to provide the optimum learning environment for your pupils. Having a complete picture of the physical condition of your estate will also help you understand the current state of the building fabric.