Thousands of eligible academy schools in the UK are preparing applications for the Department for Education’s (DfE) Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) to ensure their buildings are safe, warm and dry for pupils. The CIF provides much-needed funding for projects including fire safety works, new heating systems and roof renewal programmes, which are typically worth an average of over £400,000.
However, competition for the limited funding is fierce, with the CIF pot often being three times oversubscribed. Schools who are unsuccessful in their bids may face further classroom disruption and potential closure until funds are found, impacting morale and teacher and pupil retention as well as Ofsted ratings.
The most recent school awards figures, published in May 2023, showed a 25% reduction to just 1,033. If the DfE are unable to secure a rise in CIF allocation from the Treasury, the number of awarded projects could fall to less than 800, representing a 42% decrease which could further exacerbate the £15 billion backlog funding chasm.
The DfE have confirmed that costs relating to the RAAC issue will not come from the CIF pot. Schools have until 12.00 on Thursday 14th December to submit their applications for vital capital works projects, hoping that their crumbling estate can survive another winter and that their bids will be successful.
Tim Warneford, at Warneford Consulting, said: “The competition between competing trusts is fierce as the stakes are high. Successfully awarded projects can transform a school’s estate and markedly increase the quality of the teaching and learning environment.”
“Those schools who are not successful, will face further classroom disruption and potential school closure until funds are found to address the aged and life expired building fabric and components.”
For more information, visit https://warnefordconsulting.com/ or contact Tim Warneford at tim@warnefordconsulting.com or call 07970 466010.
Thousands of eligible academy schools in the UK are preparing applications for a vital funding injection from the Department for Education’s (DfE) Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) by the deadline of 12.00 on Thursday 14th December. The CIF provides much-needed capital funding for projects including fire safety works, new heating systems and roof renewal programmes, with grants typically worth an average of over £400,000.
Competition for the limited funding is fierce, with the CIF pot often being three times oversubscribed. Schools who are unsuccessful in their bids may face further classroom disruption and potential closure until funds are found, impacting morale and teacher and pupil retention as well as Ofsted ratings.
The most recent school awards figures, published in May 2023, showed a 25% reduction to just 1,033. If the DfE are unable to secure a rise in CIF allocation from the Treasury, the number of awarded projects could fall to less than 800, representing a 42% decrease which could further exacerbate the £15 billion backlog funding chasm.
The DfE have confirmed that costs relating to the RAAC issue will not come from the CIF pot. Schools have until 12.00 on Thursday 14th December to submit their applications for vital capital works projects, hoping that their crumbling estate can survive another winter and that their bids will be successful.
Tim Warneford, at Warneford Consulting, said: “The competition between competing trusts is fierce as the stakes are high. Successfully awarded projects can transform a school’s estate and markedly increase the quality of the teaching and learning environment.”
“Those schools who are not successful, will face further classroom disruption and potential school closure until funds are found to address the aged and life expired building fabric and components.”
With thousands of eligible academy schools in the UK preparing applications for the Department for Education’s (DfE) Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) ahead of the 12.00 deadline on Thursday 14th December, competition for the much-needed capital funding injection is fierce. The CIF provides grants for projects including fire safety works, new heating systems and roof renewal programmes, with awards typically worth an average of over £400,000.
However, the CIF pot is often three times oversubscribed and schools who are unsuccessful in their bids may face further classroom disruption and potential closure until funds are found. This could impact morale and teacher and pupil retention as well as Ofsted ratings.
The most recent school awards figures, published in May 2023, showed a 25% reduction to just 1,033. If the DfE are unable to secure a rise in CIF allocation from the Treasury, the number of awarded projects could fall to less than 800, representing a 42% decrease which could further exacerbate the £15 billion backlog funding chasm.
The DfE have confirmed
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.