Understanding the school rebuilding programme

The school rebuilding programme helps to rebuild and refurbish schools in urgent need, but how are these schools identified and prioritised?

The school rebuilding programme (SRP) carries out major rebuilding and refurbishment projects for school buildings; the programme is condition-led and prioritises schools according to their condition. 

For schools in the worst condition, or with significant safety issues, rebuilding is required. 

The condition is assessed through preliminary meetings and site visits and prioritised by data gathered in the condition data collection (CDC) programme.

Schools should be nominated by organisations responsible for school estates. In 2022, just 300 schools were prioritised out of 1,105 nominations; the prioritised schools met one of the following criteria:

• The building is of a specific construction type that requires replacement.
• The building has the highest condition need as identified in the CDC and verified through the collection of additional information.
• The building is in a severe and urgent condition that identifies it is a high priority for replacement.
• The building has risks that have the potential to harm pupils and staff. 

Nominations for the SRP are currently closed, but criteria for the 2023 nomination process can be found herefor reference. There are 100 places reserved for later in the programme. Details of future prioritisation will be confirmed when relevant.

Alternative programmes 

The SRP is not the only source of funding for school building improvement. The Department for Education (DfE) provides capital funding each year for schools and organisations responsible for school estates – whether a school is eligible for funding depends on their size and type. 

Local authorities, larger multi-academy trusts (MATs) and large voluntary aided school bodies receive an annual school condition allocation (SCA) to invest in condition priorities across the schools for which they are responsible. Smaller MATs, stand-alone academy trusts, sixth form colleges, voluntary aided schools and SCA-eligible bodies are able to bid to the condition improvement fund each year.

It is the duty of responsible bodies to maintain the safety and maintenance of school buildings. If a school building has an urgent and severe condition that they are unable to resolve, these responsible bodies should contact the DfE for advice.