How the condition improvement fund can help schools manage their conditions on a budget

School conditions that endanger staff and student must be resolved quickly and efficiently but, as the education sector faces funding cuts, how can SBLs find the resources to keep their schools safe?

According to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, schools must take all reasonable measures to ensure that school premises and equipment on the premises are safe to use. Schools may need to consider taking action to improve their premises when they encounter certain situations such as: 

• unstable internal flooring; 
• permanent fixtures that have become loose and unsafe;
• damaged electrical equipment and /or electrical switches, plugs and sockets; 
• insufficient ventilation and heating; 
• asbestos exposure. 

However, action can be expensive. As schools face funding cuts and rising energy costs it may be harder to find the money to make these improvements, and they must look to external funding instead.  This could come from school fundraisers and donations but, for more serious issues that require more significant funding, the government offers the condition improvement fund (CIF). 

What is the CIF?

The CIF is an annual funding opportunity intended to address significant condition needs on school premises necessary to keep them safe and in good working order. The CIF fund can address health and safety issues, building compliance and buildings in poor condition. 

Who can apply?

Not all schools can receive direct school condition allocation (SCA), funds paid to eligible bodies 

responsible for maintaining school buildings, as only local authorities, larger multi-academy trusts

(MATs) and larger voluntary-aided (VA) schools receive direct SCA to invest in priorities for their schools; smaller academy trusts, smaller VA schools and sixth form colleges will have to bid.

In order to be eligible to bid for the CIF, you must be one of the following:

• a stand-alone academy;
• a school in a MAT with fewer than five schools, or fewer than 3,000 pupils, as counted in the spring 2022 census or the 2021-to-2022 individualised learner record (ILR);
• a VA school in a VA body or VA group with fewer than five schools, or fewer than 3,000 pupils, as counted in the spring 2022 census or the 2021 to 2022 ILR;
• a sixth-form college;
• a school with a signed academy order as of 1 September 2022 that the Department for Education expects to convert by 1 April 2023.

To determine CIF eligibility, the pupil count of the school will be multiplied by 4.5. CIF-eligible schools have been invited to apply to the fund for 2023 – 24.

Urgent support

For immediate funding for building issues that put staff and student at risk, schools can also apply for urgent capital support (UCS). Your school is eligible for USC if:

• you do not receive SCA;
• you need funding assistance to address urgent building condition issues that either:
  • put the safety of your pupils or staff at risk;
  • threaten the closure of the whole, or a significant part of, your school.

Opportunities for growth 

The CIF also offers opportunity for growth through a small number of expansion projects; these are only available to academies, sixth form colleges and VA schools which have a demonstratable need to expand that have been rated good or outstanding by Ofsted. 

As SBLs navigate funding cuts and rising energy prices, the CIF can play a pivotal role in making sure buildings and premises stay safe and secure for students and staff.