Are Schools Being Penalised for Staying Open?
A recent Schools Week investigation has highlighted a challenge facing many schools applying for Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) grants: projects may be viewed as a higher priority when there is a clear risk of school closure or significant disruption.
In several unsuccessful applications, schools were told their bids could have been strengthened by demonstrating a greater impact on day-to-day operations, despite ageing infrastructure and significant maintenance concerns.
The story raises an important question for the education sector. Are schools that have worked hard to manage failing buildings and keep pupils learning being disadvantaged against those facing more immediate operational failure?
For schools and trusts preparing future CIF applications, the message is clear: identifying a need is only part of the challenge. Successful bids must also evidence the risks to health and safety, educational delivery, business continuity and the wider school environment.
At Warneford Consulting, we see time and again that the strongest applications combine robust technical evidence with a clear narrative around the consequences of inaction. In a highly competitive funding environment, demonstrating risk is just as important as demonstrating need.
The latest CIF outcomes are a timely reminder that good estate management and strong evidence must go hand in hand.
Read the article here
