How can education providers create safe, sustainable and future-ready estates while managing ageing buildings, competing capital priorities and increasing pressure on budgets? 

England’s education estate is entering a significant period of change. The Government’s Education Estates Strategy, published in February 2026, sets out a 10-year programme of national renewal, with a greater emphasis on proactive estate management, long-term maintenance, renewal and resilience. The strategy includes almost £20 billion for the School Rebuilding Programme through to 2034–35, alongside new approaches to renewal, retrofit and estate data. 

The scale of the challenge remains substantial. More than £2.1 billion has been committed in 2026–27 to improve the condition of the school estate, while the new £710 million Renewal and Retrofit Programme is intended to address buildings with significant condition issues before they reach the point where rebuilding becomes necessary. 

For estates and facilities leaders, however, investment alone will not resolve the pressures facing education settings. Schools, colleges and trusts must balance condition and maintenance backlogs with energy efficiency, decarbonisation, climate resilience, accessibility, SEND provision, safeguarding, changing pupil numbers and the need to minimise disruption to learning. 

The Institute of Government and Public Policy is pleased to present the Education Facilities and Estates Management Conference 2027, bringing together senior education leaders, estates and facilities professionals, local authorities, responsible bodies, government, construction and industry experts. 

Join the Institute of Government and Public Policy for the National Education Facilities and Estates Management Conference 2027 in London and examine how organisations can turn national estates policy and investment into practical improvements on the ground, from strategic asset management and capital planning to retrofit, procurement, sustainability, maintenance and the delivery of learning environments that are fit for the future.