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 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 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 2025–26 School Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) results reveal new challenges for capital maintenance funding. Our latest analysis explores key trends — from rising project costs and regional disparities to the growing misalignment between funding and condition need — and considers what might change as the Department for Education reviews the future of the current model.
Read MoreWe are growing and thrilled to announce several exciting new vacancies to join our multidisciplinary team of architects, building surveyors, engineers, health & safety specialists, and operations professionals. If you're looking to contribute to impactful projects and develop your career within a supportive and forward-thinking environment, we want to hear from you!
Read MoreLast week the Department for Education (DfE) announced the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) outcomes for 2025-26, allocating £470 million for 789 projects across 656 eligible institutions. Despite a 5% increase in funding, this year’s results mark another record low in successful projects and schools, both down approximately 10% compared to last year.
Read MoreThe latest round of the Condition Improvement Fund for 2025-2026 is now open, offering schools, academies and colleges the opportunity to obtain important funding for building improvements.
Read MoreWe are delighted to share with you S2e’s inaugural Condition Improvement Fund Insights for CIF outcomes in 2024/25. This report examines the latest (2024/25) CIF outcome against historical results, to provide analysis on long-term trends and implications for CIF-eligible institutions.
Read MoreThe Department for Education (DfE) has recently announced the allocations for the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) for 2024-25. For schools, multi-academy trusts (MATs) and colleges facing disappointment in this cycle, there will be an option to appeal against the decision
Read MoreThe latest round of the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) for school building improvements is now open. In this CIF round for 2024-25, there are two notable updates: an emphasis on the fact that CIF applications for RAAC mitigations and/or RAAC roof replacements are not necessary as they will receive separate funding, and new information regarding disqualification criteria for expansion projects.
Read MoreSecuring condition improvement funding to improve the condition of your school estate can be pivotal. To give you the very best chance of CIF success we have marshalled all our expertise, and provided some top tips, to compile this guide.
Read MoreThe results for the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) for the 23/24 financial year have been released with a total of 1,033 projects successful, receiving a collective funding of £456 million.
Read MoreIf your school premises are not in optimum condition for teaching and learning, it may be time to start considering an application for improvement funding.
Read MoreWith the school funding crisis deepening, maintaining your school estate whilst balancing your budget is becoming more difficult. In the face of rising costs, accessing government funding is more important than ever and Surveyors to Education (S2e) can help.
Read MoreSchools wanting to replace fossil-fuel boilers with low-carbon alternatives are being urged to make use of two Government funding schemes.
Read MoreApplications for the new round of the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) to improve school buildings have just opened, and there are a few changes from last year.
Read MoreThe latest annual bidding round of the Government’s Condition Improvement Fund is about to open and last time £498 million was allocated for 1,405 projects at 1,129 institutions.
Read MoreThe results of the 2022 to 2023 CIF applications have been published, and we are delighted to announce we secured over £28 million for our clients, with a success rate of 86% over the last 3 years.
Read MoreThe successful schools in the latest round of Condition Improvement Funding (CIF) have just been announced – and inevitably some academies and Multi-Academy Trusts will have been disappointed not to be awarded funding. But while it might be tempting to appeal against the decision, that may not always be the best move.
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.
