School buildings across the UK are under immense pressure, and so are the professionals tasked with managing them. As infrastructure ages, budgets shrink, and expectations rise, it’s time to shift the conversation from maintenance to transformation. Claire McAnulty, Managing Director at Capita Entrust, explores how strategic estate management can turn school buildings from liabilities into lasting assets.
The state of school estates has reached a tipping point. Overcrowded classrooms, crumbling infrastructure, and outdated facilities aren’t just operational challenges – they are actively compromising the quality of education. A Guardian investigation revealed that over 1.5 million children are now learning in dilapidated school buildings. The time for action is now, and short-term fixes aren’t enough. What’s needed is a proactive, strategic approach that treats estates not as cost centres, but as valuable assets supporting financial sustainability and high-quality learning environments.
Balancing the books
“Every pound spent on school estates should deliver long-term value - not just short-term fixes.”
Financial sustainability remains one of the biggest challenges for education leaders. With budgets under increasing strain and running costs reaching £1.6m in 2022/23, schools and academies must ensure every pound delivers measurable value.
Strategic estate management offers a clear path forward. By using robust data analysis to identify underutilised assets and explore opportunities for repurposing, schools can ease financial pressures and unlock long-term value. At Capita Entrust, we have been delivering strategic estate management training to over 480 schools on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE) for the past year, helping to drive financial savings and improve sites and buildings compliance and sustainability.
Safety and compliance
Decades of underinvestment have left many school buildings in poor condition, posing risks to both safety and service continuity. Keeping pace with evolving regulations - covering everything from fire safety to structural integrity and asbestos - adds another layer of complexity for already stretched estates teams.
Regular condition surveys, lifecycle planning, and smart tools such as digital building passports are essential to manage risk. At Leasowes Primary School in Stafford, our team helped secure vital Condition Improvement Funding (CIF) to replace a leaking roof that had forced repeated classroom closures. Thanks to targeted support, pupils and staff now benefit from a safer, more efficient learning environment - demonstrating the power of proactive estate management.
The pursuit of net zero
“Net zero isn’t just an environmental goal - it’s a strategic opportunity for schools to reduce risk, improve performance, and invest in long-term resilience.”
With schools occupying nearly half (49.4%) of the entire government estate by floor area, the education sector has a central role to play in achieving the UK’s net zero target by 2050.
Capita Entrust offers sustainable solutions that help schools maximise the potential of existing assets while supporting decarbonisation. From retrofitting buildings and installing solar panels to conducting energy audits and engaging stakeholders, we help build realistic and practical decarbonisation strategies. Our energy procurement framework also supports over 360 schools in reducing energy costs and achieving greater budget certainty across England.
The talent gap
A growing workforce shortage is creating major capacity issues across the education sector. In 2022/23, staff turnover rose by 44% compared to the previous year, with high workloads and post-pandemic pressures taking a visible toll. For estates teams, this means reduced ability to manage compliance, deliver capital projects, or plan strategically.
Filling these gaps requires access to skilled professionals and flexible partnerships. Through Capita Entrust, schools can tap into decades of expertise, whether it’s securing £60.4 million in CIF funding between 2016 and 2023, or delivering energy budgeting support for all eight academies within the Creative Learning Partnership Trust. Our experts help schools navigate complex challenges, drive compliance, and build resilience into their estate strategies.
Smart buildings
“Data-driven decisions are transforming how schools operate and improve.”
The integration of IoT sensors and data analytics in estate management is revolutionising the sector, enabling real-time monitoring of environmental factors such as air quality, leak detection, and mould prevention. In addition to improving the safety and wellbeing of students and staff, it also enables schools to track performance metrics, identify quick wins, and make informed decisions that drive efficiency and sustainability.
We worked with East Renfrewshire Council in implementing sensors aligned with Scottish Government air quality guidelines. The system allows staff to carry out their usual duties while data is automatically gathered and visualised on dashboards at both school and council level, enabling rapid remediations when needed and reducing the monitoring burden on staff.
Revitalising educational spaces
Creating high-performing school environments is about more than fixing what’s broken, it’s about shaping spaces that meet the changing needs of students, teachers, and communities. From repurposing existing assets to launching full-scale development programmes, thoughtful estate transformation enhances not only educational delivery but local economic resilience.
Over the last decade, Capita Entrust has designed and delivered 15 school extension and asset optimisation projects, including work at Bursley Academy and Green Lea First School in Staffordshire. We work closely with public and third-sector stakeholders to assess options, secure funding, develop forward-thinking designs, and manage the approvals process, ensuring every project delivers long-term value and impact.
Transforming estates, delivering impact
Optimising school estates is a tricky task. Yet, through strategic estate management, proactive building safety, net zero initiatives, and the adoption of smart building technologies, schools can transform their estates into valuable, thriving assets. With decades of public sector, ISO-certified experience, we specialise in helping schools navigate these challenges, offering tailored solutions to maximise operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
Get in touch to discover how we can help you unlock the full potential of your school estate:
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Claire McAnulty
Claire McAnulty, Managing Director, Capita Entrust
Claire McAnulty is Managing Director of Capita Entrust Schools, supporting over 6,000 UK schools. With 25+ years in finance, strategy, and compliance, she brings deep insight into both public and private sectors. Claire is a collaborative leader, passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people. She actively engages with educational suppliers and local authorities, fostering innovation and best practice. Claire is a strong advocate and trusted partner to schools, championing collaboration and continuous improvement.
