Lizzie Dixon

The UK government has announced a £132.5m funding package for after-school clubs and extracurricular activities, as it prepares to introduce new social media restrictions for under-16s. It marks a pivotal step in improving access to enrichment opportunities for children across the UK and is designed to expand activity offerings such as in sport, arts and … Read more

School place planning remains a challenge, as a range of factors continue to influence the demand for school places, including birth rates, housing growth, migration and pupil movements. Demand for school places is subject to ongoing change, and local authorities and schools have to consider carefully when and where to add or remove places. The … Read more

As the school summer break approaches, estates managers are entering a critical time of year, the six-week window where they can deliver refurbishments and new-build projects without disrupting students and teaching. Across the break, schools should utilise MMC to complete cost-effective projects in a timely manner, as modular construction significantly reduces on-site programme durations and … Read more

As the government increases its focus on integrating SEND provision within mainstream education, inclusion bases are becoming an increasingly prominent feature of UK schools. Now encouraged through SEND reform and policy discussions, these are typically understood as dedicated spaces for pupils to access specialised support. As local authorities begin allocating targeted SEND capital funding, the … Read more

The education landscape in the UK is constantly evolving, and school leaders and estate managers are under pressure to constantly adapt. Since September 2025, eligible working parents of children aged between nine months and four years old in England have received 30 hours a week of government-funded childcare, creating a huge demand for early years … Read more

The government has recently budgeted £570 million for post-16 capital investment, with applicant outcomes set to be announced from July this year. The focus of the funds are two-fold – first, to increases student spaces offered by further education providers and, second, to help invest into construction and trade skills. This comes at a critical … Read more

For many sectors, achieving net zero is an important goal, and the education sector is no exception. Investing in new classrooms, dining rooms and other spaces is widely being recognised by schools as a valuable opportunity to improve their carbon footprint. What was simply the objective of creating additional space has now extended far beyond … Read more

Across the UK, schools and colleges are facing growing pressure to rethink, adapt and modernise their estates. Fluctuating pupil numbers, unexpected building issues and emergency situations all lead to schools needing to find safe, compliant accommodation quickly. As a result, education leaders need smarter, faster and more cost-effective ways to deliver high-quality learning environments. Supporting … Read more

The education sector has a significant role to play in helping the UK government meet its goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050. School estates managers have increasingly been focused on lowering emissions and improving efficiency through new technology, green policies and modern school buildings. Recently, staff, parents, local councils, and central government have increased … Read more

Q: How has your experience working on estate projects demonstrated the importance of early collaboration between schools and estates managers? Richard: “From my experience, one pattern appears consistently – senior leadership teams (SLT) and estates professionals are both deeply invested in achieving the right outcome, but they often approach projects from very different starting points. … Read more