News Government Launches 10-Year Plan to Transform School and College Estates
The Department for Education has unveiled a comprehensive 10-year Education Estates Strategy, described by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson as a “turning point” for England’s ageing school and college buildings. Backed by £38 billion in capital investment from 2025/26 to 2029/30—the highest since 2010—the plan addresses longstanding issues exposed by the RAAC crisis, including fragile infrastructure and climate resilience.
This landmark announcement represents far more than a simple funding boost; it marks a fundamental shift in how the government approaches the maintenance and renewal of the entire education estate. The strategy directly tackles accumulated problems by providing a clear, decade-long roadmap that allows responsible bodies to plan with confidence rather than reacting to emergencies. The plan addresses the pressures of increasing pupil numbers, changing curriculum demands and extreme weather events linked to climate change through sustained investment and targeted action.
Key commitments include extending the School Rebuilding Programme to at least 2034 with around £20 billion allocated, aiming to rebuild over 750 schools. An additional £2.4 billion will be spent annually over the next four years on condition improvements, rising to nearly £3 billion per year by 2034/35 for maintenance. These stepped increases will support urgent repairs alongside proactive upgrades that prevent future crises and deliver the stability required for long-term estate management. The funding profile creates predictability for ongoing condition work across the education estate.
A new Renewal and Retrofit Programme, funded with over £700 million to 2029/30, will prioritise resilience against flooding and net-zero readiness, starting in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, and the South East. The strategy also emphasises creating specialist SEND spaces with £3.7 billion committed and digital upgrades.
MPs have welcomed progress on RAAC removal—62 schools already cleared—but stressed the need for permanent fixes beyond patching. Industry stakeholders see this as a vital opportunity for confident long-term planning amid rising pupil numbers and sustainability demands. Beyond the immediate financial figures, the plan supports the delivery of modern learning environments that address ageing estates while meeting the requirements of rising pupil numbers and sustainability demands. The combination of capital investment, targeted regional programmes and a clear focus on inclusivity and sustainability enables responsible bodies to align their planning with the full ten-year horizon. The stepped funding profile gives the education estate the certainty needed to integrate improvements with broader priorities for pupil outcomes and community use over the decade ahead.
Nominations Open for Next Round of School Rebuilding Programme
The Department for Education has opened nominations for the next phase of the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP), with responsible bodies given until midday on 23 April 2026 to submit applications via the nomination portal. Launched in 2021, the SRP now includes 519 confirmed projects, with a full list published detailing announcement dates and progress.
This latest call for nominations comes at a pivotal moment when the programme targets the most dilapidated schools for replacement or refurbishment to modern standards. Responsible bodies, including multi-academy trusts, local authorities and voluntary-aided schools, now have a clear window to put forward their strongest cases backed by detailed condition surveys and evidence aligned with programme priorities.
The nomination process prioritises condition issues, including RAAC-affected sites, while incorporating sustainability and inclusivity. The programme targets the most dilapidated schools, replacing or refurbishing buildings to modern standards. To date, 23 high-priority projects have been completed, focusing on safety and functionality. The government has boosted funding, committing £20 billion overall to rebuild over 750 schools by 2034, supported by increased annual allocations.
This round aligns with the broader Education Estates Strategy, which pledges a decade of renewal. Nominations prioritise condition issues, including RAAC-affected sites, while incorporating sustainability and inclusivity. Contractors and trusts are urged to prepare robust cases, as the programme aims to deliver 100 starts in the coming year. Stakeholders highlight the importance of timely delivery to minimise disruption, with modular and offsite methods likely to play a key role.
The DfE’s new digital platform, Manage Your Education Estate, will aid ongoing management and transparency. This expansion signals strong commitment to upgrading England’s education infrastructure. In practical terms the programme enables the replacement or refurbishment of buildings to modern standards that support safety and functionality. Successful cases will align with the broader Education Estates Strategy that pledges a decade of renewal and the overall £20 billion commitment to rebuild over 750 schools by 2034.
The tight April deadline maintains momentum in the pipeline of projects and ensures schools facing the most severe condition issues receive priority support in the months and years ahead. The open nomination process also allows strategic planning at trust and authority level to bundle multiple sites where appropriate and maximise value from the sustained funding allocations.
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Spring 2026 issue 4183
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