Advice and support

Unlocking hidden value: How one school turns its spaces into £110,000 a year

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Cressex Community School logo

Cressex Community School in High Wycombe has significant experience in hiring out its facilities, something it has been doing for more than 13 years, and it has gone from strength to strength. The school brings in around £110,000* each year …

School land transaction: What you need to know before you sell, lease or buy

Ed Lockett, Case Manager in the DfE’s Land Transactions, Estates, Land and Planning Division talks about school land transactions – telling us what they are and the circumstances where you need consent. My team is made up of caseworkers and …

The Education Estates Strategy: what it means for your school

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Image of student walking towards a school building. Text reads: Education Estates Strategy explained.

The government has published its Education Estates Strategy - a 10-year plan which aims to renew, modernise and future‑proof schools and colleges across England. Backed by £38 billion in education capital investment between 2025-26 and 2029-30, the strategy sets out …

Building procurement knowledge and confidence with Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) training funded by DfE

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Anthony Degnan, Finance Manager at Ad Astra Academy Trust, tells us what he has gained professionally after undertaking a DfE-supported Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Procurement Fundamentals course.  Ad Astra Academy Trust is a multi-academy trust in the North East of England, with ten primary schools spread across Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, …

Growing greener citizens: Our sustainability journey at Goldsmith Primary Academy

Goldsmith Primary Academy sustainability lead and assistant head Jennie Twells explains how growing greener citizens is also helping to save her West Midlands-based trust money. At Windsor Academy Trust (WAT) one of our ambitions is to become one of the …

Helping schools find better banking options: a simple approach to saving money

Managing a school's finances effectively has never been more important. With a focus on getting maximum value for money to best deliver for children, we want to make sure schools have the best possible tools and information to make informed …

Using the DfE’s Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning (ICFP) tool to get essential insights into managing your school’s resources

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Michele Lavelle, CFO at Campfire Education Trust (CET) in Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire, shares how using the DfE’s Integrated Curriculum and Financial Planning (ICFP) tool has helped to transform the trust’s planning. As the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of …

DfE launches School Estate Management Standards to support all schools to manage their estates effectively

The new School Estate Management Standards provide a clear framework to help school leaders and estates management professionals manage their school estates well. In this blog David Fugurally, Head of School Estate Management Standards, Competencies & Skills, explains how they …