Welland Academy Trust: 9 Years of partnership, 8 CIF wins
The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF): A long-term success story
At Surveyors to Education (S2e), we believe in building long-term partnerships with our clients to secure essential funding for school improvements. Our relationship with Welland Park Academy Trust is a testament to this philosophy. Over the past nine years, our collaboration has resulted in nine successful Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) bids, securing a total of over £2.5 million in funding for vital infrastructure projects. This remarkable track record demonstrates the power of a strategic and continuing partnership.
The Challenge
The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) is a highly competitive, annual bidding round provided by the Department for Education (DfE) to address significant building condition needs. If you are a stand-alone academy or part of a MAT with less than 5 academies or less than 3,000 pupils, a sixth-form college or a non-diocesan voluntary-aided school, then you are eligible for CIF.
Its primary purpose is to ensure that school and college buildings are kept safe and in good operating order. Successful applications have increasingly focused on a narrow set of project types particularly those aligned with urgent condition and health and safety concerns, such as fire safety and mechanical & electrical (M&E) systems. (Spotlight: Condition Improvement Fund Insights 2025/26)
Navigating the complex application process and proving project need, cost, and planning to the DfE can be challenging. Welland Park Academy Trust sought S2e as a reliable partner to help them consistently secure this critical funding to maintain and improve their estate.
The S2e Solution
Since 2017, S2e has worked closely with Welland Park Academy Trust to identify project priorities, prepare robust bid applications, and manage the submission process. Our expertise in the CIF framework has allowed us to consistently craft winning bids, year after year. The partnership has been a journey of proactive planning and successful execution, covering five distinct bid types to address various aspects of the academy’s infrastructure.
The Results: A Winning Streak
Our continuous collaboration with Welland Park Academy has yielded incredible results, with a project-by-project breakdown of the successful bids over the years.
Year - Bid Type
2017 - Roof
2018 - Roof
2021- Heating
2022 - Electrics
2022 - Heating
2024 - Heating
2024 - Fire Doors
2025 - Flooding & Drainage
Over nine years, this dedicated effort has brought in a total of £2.5 million, allowing the academy to proactively address a range of condition issues. From replacing aging roofs to upgrading heating and electrical systems, and ensuring modern fire safety, each successful bid has contributed to a safer, more efficient, and improved learning environment for students and staff.
Our partnership extends beyond Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) services. We have also successfully secured and delivered funding from various other sources, including Section 106 and Salix, and have completed RAAC and Condition Surveys. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of the academy's infrastructure are well-maintained and future proofed.
The Power of Partnership
The success story of Welland Park Academy Trust is a clear demonstration of the value of a trusted long-term partnership. It is a story of consistency, with term-time completion projects that have steadily improved the school estate. Our team at S2e has become an integral part of the academy's estates management strategy, providing peace of mind and delivering tangible results. This case study is a testament to what can be achieved when a school trust and a dedicated team of surveyors work together towards a common goal.
“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”
Contact Us
To discover how S2e can help your school or trust achieve similar success with CIF and other funding opportunities, visit our website. Our expertise in the CIF framework has allowed us to consistently craft winning bids, year after year. Please download our latest insights document Spotlight: Condition Improvement Fund Insights 2025/26.
The partnership has been a journey of proactive planning and successful execution, covering five distinct bid types to address various aspects of the academy’s infrastructure.
