DfE Announces School Condition Allocation Funding for 2025-2026: What This Means for Your School

The Department for Education (DfE) has recently announced the School Condition Allocation (SCA) amounts for the 2025 to 2026 academic year. This funding represents a critical investment in maintaining and improving school buildings and grounds, ensuring safe and effective learning and teaching environments for students and teachers.

What is School Condition Allocation?

School Condition Allocation (SCA) is annual funding provided by the DfE specifically designed to help schools, academies, and multi-academy trusts maintain and enhance their physical infrastructure. This funding stream allows educational institutions to address essential maintenance needs, tackle deterioration, and ensure their facilities remain safe, warm, and dry.

The funding enables schools to undertake various projects, including:

• Roof repairs and replacements
• Heating system upgrades
• Window and door replacements
• Electrical and plumbing system improvements
• Fire safety enhancements
• Structural repairs

The full list of SCA allocations for 2025-2026 is now available here, allowing schools and trusts to begin planning their estates strategies accordingly. We recommend reviewing your institution’s allocation promptly to facilitate thorough planning for the upcoming academic year.

What About Condition Improvement Fund?

In addition to the SCA announcement, the DfE is expected to reveal Condition Improvement Funding (CIF) decisions in May. CIF represents another crucial funding stream, primarily aimed at smaller academy trusts, sixth-form colleges, and voluntary-aided schools that are not eligible for SCA.

CIF operates on a competitive bid basis, with institutions applying for specific project funding. The imminent announcement will determine which submitted projects have been approved for the 2025-2026 cycle.

Looking Forward

The announcement of SCA funding for 2025-2026 represents positive news for the education sector, providing clarity and certainty for financial planning. Combined with the upcoming CIF decisions, schools can have a clearer picture of the resources available to maintain and improve their learning environment.

For more information on school capital funding, visit the government’s official guidance page. Contact our team today at info@mcessex.co.uk or call 01245 326200 to arrange an initial consultation.