David Fugurally, head of School Estate Management Standards, Competencies and Skills at the DfE, explains how the new School Estate Management Standards are helping school leaders and estates management professionals manage their school estates more effectively

The Department for Education (DfE) launched its new School Estate Management Standards earlier this year to provide a clear framework to help school leaders and estates management professionals manage their school estates more effectively.

We are dedicated to breaking down the barriers to opportunity and creating chances for all children and learners to achieve and thrive.

A well-managed and well-maintained school site provides the fundamental environment necessary to achieve this, and our ambition to deliver the best education to our children and to give them the best start in life.

Keeping estates operational and safe for pupils and staff is a complex undertaking, involving a huge number of vital functions, processes, and planning delivered by experienced and qualified professionals.

And the department is committed to working with schools to support them in the good work they already do to manage their sites effectively.

Keeping estates operational and safe for pupils and staff is a complex undertaking, involving a huge number of vital functions, processes, and planning delivered by experienced and qualified professionals

Schools had complained that the vast amount of guidance and regulations available can often be overwhelming and unclear, particularly for schools that are at the start of their journey to fully-effective estate management.

But the new School Estate Management Standards aim to bring key points of existing government guidance, other advice, and regulations, together in one succinct and easy-to-understand document.

Comprehensive support package

They will sit alongside the Estate Management Competency Framework, published in June 2023, as part of a comprehensive support package for schools.

The management standards focus on putting the right processes in place, while the competency framework is about having the right people in post and building their relevant knowledge and skills.

By providing a clear framework for progression through four distinct levels, from essential practices to advanced management, they will help ensure your estate supports safe, effective learning environments while meeting legal requirements

The standards, developed in collaboration with schools and sector representatives, clarify the department’s expectations of schools and responsible bodies (RBs) and represent a structured approach to estate management.

They are designed to help schools prioritise projects within their estate, build on good practice, and meet legal requirements, and address key areas.

These areas include:

• Strategic estate management
• Planning and organising estate resources
• Health and safety compliance
• Sustainability and carbon reduction
• Digital technology integration

The document includes practical advice on the basics of managing a school estate and how to progress to fully achieving effective practice.

It also signposts users to additional expert advice, such as the Good Estate Management for Schools manual (GEMS).

Enhance how you manage your school estate

Our aim is to support all schools in a practical and non-judgemental way to understand where to start, how to progress, and how to make best use of the wealth of guidance available.

Our aim is to support all schools in a practical and non-judgemental way to understand where to start, how to progress, and how to make best use of the wealth of guidance available

By providing a clear framework for progression through four distinct levels, from essential practices to advanced management, they will help ensure your estate supports safe, effective learning environments while meeting legal requirements.

The guidance includes:

Baseline: Essential practices that all schools should have in place as a starting point, including legally-required elements

Transitioning: Key transition points in good practice as schools develop their estate management capabilities

Fully Effective: All components needed for effective estate management

Advanced: Additional activities for schools aiming to become sector leaders in estate management

All schools should aim to reach at least Level 3 (Fully Effective) with Level 4 (Advanced) representing an opportunity to become sector leaders in estate management, if this aligns with your strategic aims.

These clearly-defined levels allow you to assess your current practices; identify areas for improvement; plan strategic development of your capabilities; and document progress for governors, trustees, and inspectors.

Further support is available by joining The Trust Network, a DfE-backed body committed to supporting school estates managers to create and maintain environments that enhance teaching and learning.

Membership is free and provides professionals with networking opportunities, regular updates, access to exclusive webinars, and much more.

At the department we are hugely appreciative of everything schools do to ensure sites are safe and support our children and young people and all those who work with them.

These standards have been created as a direct result of feedback and collaboration and we hope schools will find this new resource beneficial in supporting that vital work.