Here at Barker our specialist team of advisors have been assisting further education providers for the last two years in securing T-Level Capital Funding. The aim of the T-Level Capital fund (TLCF) is to help eligible providers have world class facilities for the delivery of T-Levels from 2023/24. There are two main elements to the TLCF:
• Specialist Equipment Allocation (SEA)
• Buildings and Facilities Improvement Grant (BFIG)
These grant funds assist schools with the refurbishment of buildings, expansion-based works and upgrading of equipment to help deliver the T-Level curriculum.
With the deadline for T-Level applications announced as the 11th March 2022, we asked one of our experienced Bid Managers, Mark Neary, to talk us through how Barker can help Schools and a recent successful application we submitted on behalf of Hedingham School and Sixth Form.
Hi Mark, can you please start by explaining how Barker are able to assist providers in the T-Level funding application process?
Hi, yes of course. At Barker we have a knowledgeable team of professional advisors who offer extensive T-Level bid writing support. As with other educational funding, we work on a “no win no fee” basis and can help identify the best opportunities to secure capital funding grants for BFIG and SEA.
We would firstly consult with clients to assess their site and discuss the priority works that are needed to help them deliver the T-Level curriculum. This would, in turn, enable us to identify the funding opportunities that are available to the providers. We would then advise them on the best projects to bid for and guide them on the best strategy for submission.
Why do you believe working alongside Barker is beneficial to the successful outcome of an application?
The guidelines that schools are required to follow for T-Levels are very specific and the amount and level of detail that is required can often seem overwhelming for schools. This is where our knowledge and experience is so valuable as we are able to guide you through the entire process.
In 2021 alone, Barker secured over £50m in education funding for our clients. We believe this is largely due to how thorough our bid development work is and that we curate bespoke bids for every individual client. Our qualified APMP bid writers make your bid stand out by providing detailed submissions that meet the ESFA marking criteria ensuring the best possible outcome.
Can you talk us through a recent project you have worked on?
Hedingham School and Sixth Form approached Barker to complete their Digital Business Services T-Level bid submission on a no-win-no-fee agreement. The aim of the bid was to provide additional ICT teaching space to facilitate the new T-Level subject in 2022. Through working with Barker, the school have been awarded £637,570.16 which has been allocated to construct a single storey, two classroom, ICT extension with common room and toilet facilities. Each ICT classroom will allow a minimum of 20 computer workstations to cover the forecast T-Level pupil numbers.
Without this funding allocation from the ESFA it is highly unlikely Hedingham School and Sixth Form would have been able to facilitate this T-Level subject due to inadequate teaching space.
And finally, Mark, what would you recommend the next steps to be for any provider considering applying for T-Level funding?
At Barker, we believe it is vital to begin collating and compiling TLCF bids at the earliest opportunity to ensure all the appropriate information is collected and presented in a clear succinct manner to the ESFA’s guidance note standards.
The next application window to gain T-Level funding is now open and must be submitted by 11th March 2022.