The DfE has updated its guidance on the School Estate Management Standards Annual Return, publishing the questions Responsible Bodies will be asked and confirming how the process will work. With the first return opening in the third week of September 2026 and a DfE webinar on 9 September, here is what the updated guidance confirms and what organisations should be doing now.
Read MoreThe DfE has published the results of the 2026-27 Condition Improvement Fund appeals, with a further 10 projects approved. With successful appeals continuing to be limited and CIF expected to be replaced from Autumn 2028, here is what the results mean for schools and how to start preparing now.
Read MoreThe DfE has published guidance for the new School Estate Management Standards Annual Return, providing Responsible Bodies with their first look at how the annual submission process will operate.
Read MoreA new Prime Minister is a near certainty in the coming months, but does that mean real change for the school estate? We explore why continuity, not upheaval, has defined education capital policy for over a decade, and what a change in leadership is - and isn't - likely to affect.
Read MoreHealth and safety training is a legal requirement for employers under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. S2e delivers a range of compliance training courses for school and academy estates teams, covering asbestos, legionella, fire doors, COSHH, manual handling, and more, led by our Health and Safety Consultants.
Read MoreThe DfE has published further detail on how the Renewal and Retrofit Programme will operate. We explore what the latest guidance confirms, what it signals about the future direction of capital funding, and what Responsible Bodies should be doing now to prepare.
Read MoreBy combining strategic design thinking with practical construction knowledge, we translate educational visions into inspiring, safe, and buildable realities. Meet the experts behind our work and discover the team that could support your next project.
Read MoreThe DfE has announced the 2026–27 CIF outcomes, with headline figures showing modest improvement. Successful schools increased by 3% and projects by 4%, marking the first rise in approvals since 2020–21 and bringing an end to several years of declining success rates.
Read MoreIt has been a busy and productive start to the year. As we continue our commitment to supporting schools and academies across the UK, we are attending several key events to engage with industry leaders and educational professionals.
Read MoreA summary of the Schools White Paper 2026, Every Child Achieving and Thriving, outlining key reforms and what they mean for the education estate. Download the full insight for a detailed breakdown.
Read MoreAn overview of the Department for Education’s Education Estate Strategy, highlighting key initiatives and what they mean for Responsible Bodies managing school estates. Download S2e’s executive summary of the full strategy.
Read MoreWith Martyn’s Law moving closer to implementation, schools are under increasing pressure to demonstrate clear oversight of security risks across their estates. An S2e school security assessment provides a structured, proportionate approach to identifying risks, strengthening governance, and embedding consistent security standards across multiple sites.
Read MoreLast year brought some promise for the education estate, with the Department for Education acknowledging that elements of the system could be improved and committing to longer-term funding certainty. Yet for those responsible for managing school and college estates, little has fundamentally changed in practice. Looking ahead, 2026 could be the year in which discussion begins to translate into action.
Read MoreAs we approach the end of 2025, we take a moment to reflect on the key announcements and changes that have, or will, affect the education estate.
Read MoreAutumn Budget 2025: Few surprises for schools, but SEND reform, early years, and long-term capital investment remain priorities. We await the upcoming Schools White Paper and the DfE estate strategy for further clarity on the direction for schools and the implementation of the Infrastructure Strategy for the education estate
Read MoreThe Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) has been confirmed for another year, providing eligible academies, colleges and voluntary-aided schools the opportunity to secure capital funding to keep their buildings safe and in good working order.
Read MoreThe UK government’s 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy sets out £725 billion of investment to deliver a coordinated, long-term plan for national infrastructure. For the education estate, the strategy signals welcome stability in maintenance funding and strategic planning - but its expanded School Rebuilding Programme raises questions about scale and impact.
Read MoreAt S2e, we now offer a school security assessment designed to help schools stay ahead of evolving threats while remaining aligned with UK government guidance and the principles of Martyn’s Law. With new legislation on the horizon, schools will be expected to demonstrate that their estates, policies, and procedures are robust, proportionate, and regularly reviewed.
Read MoreWe are thrilled to announce that the Simon Cole Sports Centre at Manor High School in Oadby has been named a finalist in the prestigious Medium Non-Residential Scheme of the Year category at the ProCon Leicestershire Awards 2025!
Read MoreAs speculation builds over how the Chancellor Rachel Reeves will meet her fiscal rules in the upcoming Autumn Budget, we take a look at recent commitments made to the education sector, with a particular focus on capital spending.
Read MoreThis case study outlines how S2e delivered a £2.98m modular vocational teaching block for St Philip’s School, replacing end-of-life temporary accommodation with a permanent, SEND-focused facility designed for industry-standard learning, sustainability, and long-term estate strategy.
“Over the last 9 years, S2e have done an outstanding job in securing us CIF funding to really transform our school. We could not have done this without their expertise and support over the years. They are a true partner dedicated to our success story.”
S2e’s expertise and dedication in constructing our new STEM building were outstanding. Their ability to navigate challenges and deliver a top-quality educational facility reflects their commitment to excellence. We are immensely grateful for their contribution.
“The addition of this versatile and exciting facility to Martin High School has created greater opportunities to enhance health and well being for pupils and staff. It has also created a fantastic facility for the community, serving as a dedicated venue to optimise the sports offerings for individuals of all ages in the locality.
The DfE has updated its guidance on the School Estate Management Standards Annual Return, publishing the questions Responsible Bodies will be asked and confirming how the process will work. With the first return opening in the third week of September 2026 and a DfE webinar on 9 September, here is what the updated guidance confirms and what organisations should be doing now.
The DfE has published the results of the 2026-27 Condition Improvement Fund appeals, with a further 10 projects approved. With successful appeals continuing to be limited and CIF expected to be replaced from Autumn 2028, here is what the results mean for schools and how to start preparing now.
The DfE has published guidance for the new School Estate Management Standards Annual Return, providing Responsible Bodies with their first look at how the annual submission process will operate.
A new Prime Minister is a near certainty in the coming months, but does that mean real change for the school estate? We explore why continuity, not upheaval, has defined education capital policy for over a decade, and what a change in leadership is - and isn't - likely to affect.
