Updated: 25th November, 2025
Created: 7th May, 2024
Robert joined Barker in 2002 and is a Partner based in our Braintree office. A Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, he has over 20 years’ experience of all core building surveying services and provides strategic estates advice to key accounts in the education, commercial, ecclesiastical and public sectors.
An education specialist, he provides the following services: estates and energy strategy, asset management planning, project management and capital funding applications.
Robert works closely with clients to plan and implement energy efficiency and sustainability strategies to save money, reduce carbon emissions and meet ESG objectives.
As a RICS Certified Historic Buildings Professional he provides conservation consultancy for clients with listed and historic buildings.
Robert is an experienced APC Assessor and Chairman and is also an external examiner for Anglia Ruskin University
As a Partner Robert leads the Business Development and Marketing function at Barker, builds relationships with key sector bodies and helps steer the strategic growth of the company.
Email: rgould@barker-associates.co.uk
Tel: 01279 648057
Maintaining and improving school estates is essential for creating safe learning environments. Every year, the Department for Education (DfE) allocates school capital funding to help improve the condition of school buildings.
For large Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), the School Condition Allocation (SCA) is a vital funding stream that enables estate improvements without the competitive bidding process required for the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) needed for smaller MATS.
However, while SCA funding is automatically allocated, many trusts fail to plan ahead. The result? Missed opportunities, inefficient spending, and delayed projects. Early preparation is the key to maximising the impact of SCA funding.
SCA offers flexible education funding, but without a clear strategy, trusts risk reactive spending. Early preparation ensures:
The first step in any effective estate strategy is understanding the condition of your buildings. Condition surveys provide the insight you need to prioritise projects based on evidence, not guesswork.
By undertaking these surveys well in advance, MATs can gain valuable insights into the most urgent needs across their estates. This allows for a strategic prioritisation of projects, ensuring resources are allocated in a way that has the most significant impact.
Having a targeted approach not only enhances the efficiency of investments but also contributes to the long-term safety and sustainability of school environments. Being proactive with condition surveys also helps identify potential issues before they become critical, enabling MATs to plan for preventative maintenance and upgrades.
It also enables a transparent and evidence-based dialogue with stakeholders about where and why investments are being made, strengthening trust and support within the school community.
The timing of projects, from minor repairs to major refurbishments, is a crucial consideration for schools, as it directly impacts the learning environment. Renovations during term time disrupt learning and create stress for staff. Early planning allows you to schedule work during holidays or quieter periods, avoiding clashes with exams and key academic milestones.
Additionally, early planning allows for a more thorough risk assessment, ensuring all potential hurdles are identified and addressed well before the project starts. It also provides an opportunity to inform the school community of upcoming changes and gather input that might influence project details.
The majority of projects, in particular complex refurbishments and expansions, require conceptual and technical designs. During the design stage, MATs can explore innovative design solutions that could enhance the functionality and sustainability of their estates, aligning with contemporary educational philosophies and environmental standards.
Sometimes, projects will also need planning permission before they can commence. Starting the preparation process early gives MATs plenty of time to refine project designs, not only ensuring they meet all educational and architectural needs, but also adhering to planning permission guidelines.
It can be easy to underestimate the planning application process, and it can take longer than you may assume to be granted planning permission for projects. Having time to navigate planning permission, if necessary, and unravel complex planning issues, ensures your project can go ahead as planned. By securing planning permission early, projects can avoid delays, ensuring timelines are met and construction can proceed without any problems.
One of the most critical aspects in executing SCA-funded projects is securing high-quality contractors who can deliver work to the highest standards and deliver value for money. Early preparation significantly enhances the likelihood of MATs being able to contract preferred specialists to assist them with renovations.
By initiating the tender process well in advance, MATs can ensure they engage contractors with the required expertise and track record for their specific projects.
This early engagement not only facilitates better planning and coordination but also guarantees projects are completed on time and to the desired quality, avoiding any compromise due to last-minute contractor availability issues. It also enables MATs to ensure budgets are maintained and procurement strategies are considered to achieve the best value for money.
Involving contractors early can improve the planning phase, too, by exploring innovative construction techniques that could improve the overall outcome of the project.
Ultimately, the accumulation of strategic prioritisation, optimal timing, meticulous planning and securing the best contractors will ensure projects are completed on time and to the highest standard.
Proactive planning can reduce the likelihood of unforeseen challenges and delays, which is particularly crucial for projects that require education funding, where adherence to timelines and budget constraints is essential.
By ensuring renovation projects are well-planned and executed efficiently, MATs can maximise the impact of SCA funding, enhancing the learning experience for students and staff.
This approach also allows for regular monitoring and adjustments as necessary, ensuring projects not only meet but exceed expectations. Not to mention, it helps plan other projects, such as energy efficiency projects or SEND projects, ensuring all work undertaken across individual schools is carefully organised to prevent any crossovers that may cause problems.
There are several benefits to preparing early for SCA-funded projects, and now is the ideal time for MATs to start considering how they’re going to spend their allocated funding.
This not only ensures the optimal use of education funding but also contributes to the success of future projects, creating inspiring learning environments for students.
Should you require any assistance with renovation projects, whether it’s bidding for funding, conducting surveys, designing extensions or securing contractors, Barker can provide end-to-end support.
As leading education property consultants, we specialise in funding for schools and work closely with our clients to ensure the strategic development of school estates.
Our experience and vision have shaped hundreds of projects across sectors, from energy and funding to architecture and design, helping bring ideas to life.
