Ingleton Wood proudly exhibited at The Trust Network’s National School Estates Conference 2025 at Ormiston Shelfield Academy in Walsall; an event that brought together education leaders, estates professionals, and technical experts to tackle the pressing challenges facing the sector.
Featuring a comprehensive conference programme covering everything from pupil place planning to climate resilience, it was a timely and thought-provoking gathering that underlined a key message; our education estates must evolve to meet the needs of every learner.
Smarter pupil placement and multi-use school spaces
One of the central themes of the day was the complex and often contrasting landscape across the Country.
While some areas face falling birth rates, others are struggling with overcrowded classrooms and pressure on facilities. The call for a strategic approach to pupil placement planning was clear, and not just for core teaching; as the conference also highlighted the importance of adapting school spaces for SEND provision, nurseries, and broader community use.
As a multidisciplinary consultancy with extensive experience in the education sector, Ingleton Wood is well-positioned to support these conversations. Our in-house teams collaborate with education providers and academy trusts to optimise their estates, ensuring they are agile, sustainable, and future-proof.
Addressing the maintenance backlog
Another recurring topic was the growing £13.8 billion maintenance backlog; a challenge that requires more than just funding, it demands accurate data and strategic vision.
Speakers highlighted ongoing concerns around data quality, noting that even comprehensive tools like the ‘Condition Data Collection 2’ (CDC2) don’t always provide the insight needed to prioritise and plan effectively.
We heard that M&E systems remain the most urgent need for education estates, followed by roofing issues; both of which our teams frequently address in our projects. Whether it's conducting detailed condition surveys, designing replacement systems, or helping schools unlock funding through CIF or alternative routes, our team has a proven track record of solving problems with practical, cost-effective solutions.
Designing for the future
Sustainability was front and centre of conversations throughout the day.
With the Department for Education’s Climate Action Plan setting ambitious targets, the education sector is being challenged to think bigger and build smarter. We were inspired by conversations about biophilic design, outdoor learning, and the idea that the landscape itself can be part of the curriculum.
The newly launched Estates Management Standards framework was another welcome development, as it provides schools with a clearer path toward effective, long-term estate management. Ingleton Wood regularly supports clients in embedding best practices across their sites. In our experience, conducting a detailed condition survey is a crucial first step in school environments, an essential service that we are well-placed to deliver.
Learning from the past to build for the future
The event also marked 75 years of ‘Building Bulletins’. These technical guides continue to underpin school design, and tell a powerful story of the change, resilience, and reinvention of our school buildings.
With decades of experience and a portfolio of education-specific projects, from new-build schools and SEND facilities to low-carbon refurbishments and estate-wide masterplans, Ingleton Wood are proud to be part of that story - with our team fully understanding what it takes to deliver spaces that truly support learning.
Our key takeaway: every project, every pupil, every future
As one speaker put it; “everything we do can make a real difference for every child we work for.” This sentiment stuck with us, as good estate management is not just about buildings, it’s about creating environments where young people can thrive.
We left Walsall informed and more committed than ever to play our part. Whether it's helping to unlock funding, improve performance, or reimagine space for new uses, Ingleton Wood is ready to support education facilities across the Country for generations to come.
Click here to discover how Ingleton Wood can support your next education-centric development.
General Enquiries
Twitter
LinkedIn
Instagram