Where Should You Focus Your 2025–26 Capital Allocation?
A Practical Guide for School and Trust Leaders
With the release of 2025–26 School Condition Allocations (SCA), leaders across England’s Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) and local authority schools are entering a vital planning phase. These capital funds are an opportunity to address long-standing estate issues, safeguard pupils and staff, and invest in more sustainable, compliant environments.
But they must be used wisely — and quickly.
What the 2025–26 Allocation Means
The Department for Education (DfE) has provided each eligible trust or authority with an allocation based on school condition, pupil numbers, and other weighted factors. The purpose of these funds is clear:
“To keep school buildings safe and in good working order — tackling poor building condition, building compliance, and health and safety issues, and improving environmental sustainability.”
— DfE Condition Grant Methodology 2025–26
These are not discretionary upgrades or aesthetic improvements. They are for addressing essential risks and compliance gaps that could disrupt learning or compromise wellbeing.
Where Most Trusts Will Focus SCA Spending
From national guidance, historical funding trends, and strategic priorities, we can confidently say that the following areas will be front and centre for most MATs:
| Priority Area | Why It’s Critical |
| Building Condition | Structural integrity, roofing, windows, classroom safety |
| Health & Safety | Fire alarms, emergency lighting, evacuation planning |
| RAAC Remediation | Urgent removal or mitigation of unsafe concrete types |
| Mechanical & Electrical | Boilers, rewiring, heating systems, energy reliability |
| Decarbonisation | LEDs, insulation, solar panels, sustainable heating |
| Accessibility Upgrades | Ramps, lifts, compliant toilets, safeguarding adaptations |
| Compliance | Asbestos removal, electrical testing, building regulations |
These aren’t optional — they are critical interventions needed to keep buildings open, compliant, and fit for purpose.
What These Projects Look Like
Based on recent CIF and SCA-funded work, here’s a snapshot of typical project scopes and spend:
| Project Type | Typical Budget Range |
| Roof replacement | £300,000 – £800,000 |
| Heating system overhaul | £200,000 – £500,000 |
| Window and door replacement | £100,000 – £400,000 |
| Fire detection/alarm upgrades | £50,000 – £200,000 |
| Toilet refurbishment / DDA access | £30,000 – £150,000 |
| LED lighting upgrades | £50,000 – £150,000 |
| Solar PV installations | £100,000 – £250,000 |
These figures provide useful benchmarks as leaders assess what can be delivered within current-year allocations.
A New Era of Procurement Flexibility
Since the Procurement Act 2023 came into effect, schools and trusts now benefit from greater autonomy in how they source and award contracts.
Under the new rules:
- You are not restricted to framework-only suppliers, provided you meet transparency and accountability thresholds.
- Direct awards and competitive flexible procedures are now explicitly allowed where justified.
- You can focus on best-fit, best-value partners — not just pre-listed names.
This is especially relevant for urgent, safety-critical works such as RAAC, fire safety, or asbestos remediation — where traditional procurement may introduce avoidable delays.
For works that must be delivered by March 2026, this flexibility is not just welcome — it’s essential.
Planning Timeline — May to August is Key
Most capital projects (especially larger ones) are planned and procured between May and August, with delivery targeted for June to March.
Use this window to:
- Review estate data and site reports (CDC2 or in-house audits)
- Prioritise by risk and regulation (fire, structural, electrical, DDA)
- Engage suppliers early to scope, quote, and mobilise
- Keep a record of procurement rationale under the new Act
Final Reflections: Lead with Confidence
Your 2025–26 allocation is a rare opportunity to invest in the long-term safety, sustainability, and resilience of your school estate.
Approach it with a clear vision:
- Make the urgent unavoidable
- Treat compliance as the foundation, not the finish line
- Let safety and impact drive spend — not ease or habit
By acting with urgency and clarity, you’ll ensure every pound contributes to a safer, smarter learning environment.
Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay