Identifying and Addressing Core Needs in School Facilities Management for 2026 – Strategic Planning for Resilience

14 January 2026

Tackling the Maintenance Backlog: Data-Driven Prioritization

Drawing from the funding uplifts and digital tools in our first editorial, let’s empower your school to meet 2026’s core needs with resilience. Envision preempting issues through smart data, turning a £13.8 billion national backlog into manageable, forward-looking plans. As network members, you’re equipped to lead, and this piece outlines maintenance, sustainability, and safety needs, with steps to act positively.

Prioritize with GEMS and CDC2 data—now wrapping up in 2026, it refines priorities like flood resilience amid climate challenges. Regular audits identify gaps, ensuring safe buildings while the new ‘Manage your education estate’ service streamlines long-term views.

Advancing Sustainability: Net Zero Pathways

Net zero by 2030 accelerates via Climate Action Plans—retrofit with solar, insulation, and low-carbon materials under the CF25 framework, slashing costs up to 30% through modular builds. Benchmark to ‘Level 3’ in the 2025 standards by mid-2026 for proactive gains.

Enhancing Health & Safety: Adaptive Designs

Fulfill legal duties with emergency plans, investing in ventilation and defenses. Connect to policies like the February 2026 early years screen time evidence call, adapting tech-ready spaces. Community stories highlight retrofits boosting air quality.

Innovate with AI for predictive maintenance, cutting repairs by 25% by 2027. A pioneering school’s modular approach hit net zero swiftly, inspiring benchmarks.

Holistically, align estates with goals, collaborate via MATs, and use the DfE Sustainability hub. Joint procurement, fueled by £500 million expansion funds from January 2026, amplifies impact.

Now’s the time for FM experts to join this live conversation, providing tailored solutions to these needs, helping schools like yours achieve more with less.

Positive Steps for Our Network Members:

  • Schedule a CDC2-informed audit and prioritize top three maintenance items.
  • Launch energy monitoring pilots for 10-15% savings this term.
  • Update health & safety plans, incorporating climate adaptations.
  • Network with peers for joint retrofits, leveraging shared expertise.
  • Test AI tools in a small-scale trial for maintenance predictions.

Rate your estate on GEMS levels (1-4)—target improvements for resilience. Next, funding to turn plans into action.