Education Services

Guiding you through CIF

Securing funding can feel daunting, but our team has an outstanding track record of helping education clients win successful Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) bids.

We provide clear, expert advice throughout the process, from shaping compelling applications to delivering projects that are safe, sustainable, and future-ready. 

Recent successes include supporting multi-academy trusts with CIF funding to deliver vital upgrades, ensuring that local authority investment is channelled directly into projects that benefit pupils and staff.

Alongside CIF, we also help clients make the most of other Department for Education (DfE) funding streams, such as School Condition Allocation (SCA), ensuring estate strategies are aligned with both short-term and long-term priorities.

Expanding to meet basic needs

With pupil numbers rising, schools often face pressure to do more with their existing sites. We specialise in guiding clients through expansion programmes, whether that means new build, refurbishment, or clever reconfiguration; always focused on optimising space and maximising value.

We also work on a number of Frameworks delivering new build schools working with Contractors to deliver quality education buildings in line with latest DfE guidance.

Our involvement in recent developments such as Plume Academy, Highsted Academy, Limebrook School, and Beaulieu Park School shows the breadth of our expertise. Each project demonstrates how we help trusts and local authorities respond to the urgent need for more places while planning for long-term resilience.

All of our design and delivery work is underpinned by the DfE’s School Estate Management Standards, ensuring best practice in compliance, efficiency, and value for money.

Condition and asset management you can rely on

Understanding the condition of your estate is the first step to planning effectively.

Our surveying and estates management teams provide detailed condition and asset surveys that help you identify priorities, manage risks, and build long-term strategies to protect and enhance your assets.

These surveys have been instrumental for clients preparing funding bids, shaping estate strategies, and delivering projects that make the best use of limited resources.

By aligning our survey outputs with the Good Estate Management for Schools (GEMS) guidance, we help clients develop robust estate strategies that satisfy DfE expectations and unlock future investment. 

Browse our Education brochure to find out more 

Maximising nursery and estate potential

Nursery provision plays a vital role in education and community engagement. 

With the DfE recently announcing another round of nursery funding, now is an ideal time for schools to explore how they can expand and reformat their estate.

We support schools in expanding and rethinking their estates, helping them make the most of their space, unlocking funding opportunities, and even generating additional income streams to ensure every square metre works harder for the school.

Discover more about our Education sector expertise

Innovation in action – drone showcase

Innovation underpins our approach. For example, our use of drone technology allows us to capture high-quality data on school estates safely and efficiently.

From surveying large sites to assessing roof condition, drones provide valuable insights that improve accuracy, reduce risk, and speed up the decision-making process for our clients.

Find out more about our building surveying services

Watch our drone pilots in action

Delivering social value

We believe in leaving a positive legacy.

Beyond our projects, we deliver real social value through work experience placements, education workshops, and careers days to help inspire the next generation to explore opportunities in the built environment and beyond.

Learn more about our mission and values

Connecting with the sector

We’re proud to be part of the national conversation on the future of education estates. 

This year, our team has already attended a variety of events, where we connected with education stakeholders, trust representatives, and sector professionals: 

• The ISBA Conference in Manchester
• The CST Finance and Operations Conference in Birmingham
• The Schools and Academies Show in London
• The Norfolk School leaders Conference in Newmarket

Looking ahead, we will be attending Education Estates in Manchester, (14th – 15th October) and the CST Annual Conference in Birmingham (16th – 17th October).