Imagine transforming your school’s aging facilities into modern, inspiring spaces that support every learner’s potential. As members of our school network, you’re already at the forefront of this evolution, and with the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP) now encompassing 750 schools by 2035—including expansions announced in late 2025—you have unprecedented opportunities to upgrade. This first editorial in our series empowers you with the latest insights on 2026 developments, helping you lead with confidence while highlighting key moments for expert partners to collaborate.
The Department for Education’s (DfE) Good Estate Management for Schools (GEMS) guidance remains your essential toolkit, offering frameworks for governance, budgeting, and compliance. Now enhanced by the upcoming ‘Manage your education estate’ online service launching in 2026, it enables strategic, long-term planning with digital tools for asset management. Integrate these to align your estate with teaching excellence.
The 2025 Autumn Budget’s commitments roll forward: core budgets rise to £67 billion in 2026-27, incorporating rolled-in grants like the School Budget Support Grant (SBSG) and National Insurance contributions, with £2.9 billion earmarked for maintenance by 2034-35. School Condition Allocation (SCA), Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), and Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) allocations for 2026-27 build on 2025-26 figures, with growth funding at £1,570 per primary pupil and £2,350 per secondary, plus £77,225 lump sums for new schools—no protection, so forecast pupils accurately.
Sustainability drives progress, with Climate Action Plans mandatory and the April 2025 School Estate Management Standards setting four maturity levels—aim for ‘Level 3’ effectiveness this year. The SRP’s £20 billion over the decade prioritizes net-zero designs, while RAAC support continues. The DfE’s long-term estates strategy, expected soon, promises clarity on reforms.
The Condition Data Collection 2 (CDC2) rollout, affecting 70% of allocations, ensures fairer funding but may need adjustments—view it as a chance to evidence needs strongly. Tie this to the £3 billion SEND investment for 50,000 more places by 2028, adapting facilities inclusively.
Experts at the February 2026 Effective School Estate Management Conference stress ‘Level 3’ benchmarking for gains. One MAT’s early Climate Plan adoption cut energy costs by 15-20%, a replicable success.
This is a pivotal moment: As schools like yours gear up, facilities management (FM) providers can step in as vital partners, offering specialized solutions to navigate these changes efficiently.
Positive Steps for Our Network Members:
- Conduct a GEMS self-assessment this month to baseline your estate.
- Forecast pupil numbers precisely for growth funding eligibility.
- Form peer groups within our network to share audit insights and collaborate on CIF bids.
- Engage sustainability leads to update Climate Action Plans, targeting quick energy wins.
These announcements lay strong groundwork—next, we explore needs and resilient strategies.
