New Year, New Projects: 5-Year Estate Planning for Schools The start of a new year is a natural time for schools to pause, reflect, and look ahead. While day to day priorities will always come first, it is also the ideal moment to think about the future of your school buildings and how they can best support pupils and staff in the years to come. A clear 5-year estate plan helps schools move away from reactive decisions and towards a more confident, planned approach to managing your estate. What Do We Mean by a 5-Year Estate Plan? Put simply, a 5-year estate plan is a practical roadmap for your school buildings. It brings together information about condition, compliance, future needs, and potential projects, all in one place. Rather than responding to issues as they arise, schools can see what is coming, understand what needs attention first, and plan works in a way that is manageable and cost effective. Why Planning Ahead Matters Schools that plan ahead tend to feel more in control of their estates. Early planning allows you to spot issues before they become urgent, spread costs sensibly over time, and avoid rushed decisions. It also makes conversations with governors, trustees, and senior leaders much easier. A clear plan shows how estate investment supports the wider vision of the school and provides confidence that decisions are well thought through. Making Long-Term Projects Easier to Manage Larger estate projects rarely happen overnight. Whether it is a refurbishment, an extension, or major building upgrades, these projects benefit hugely from early thinking. A 5-year plan gives you the space to explore options, test feasibility, consider budgets, and plan delivery at the right time. This approach reduces disruption, avoids unnecessary pressure, and leads to better outcomes overall. How AltMarkt Services Can Help At AltMarkt, we support schools and trusts in developing clear, practical estate plans that work in the real world. We take the time to understand your estate, your priorities, and your long-term goals. Our role is to help you move from reacting to issues as they arise to planning with confidence for the years ahead. If you would like to start planning your school’s estate for the next five years, we would be happy to have an initial conversation. Please get in touch with us via the contact form below, or call us on 01206 258852.  Contact Us

How To Assess Your Schools Building Needs Over The Holidays The school holidays offer a valuable window to step back, look at your estate and plan ahead. With quieter corridors and reduced day to day pressures, it becomes much easier to spot issues, review priorities and understand what your buildings may need in the months and years ahead. A structured approach can help you make the most of this time. Here are some simple steps to guide your assessment. Start with a walkaround of your site Take a fresh look at the condition of your buildings. Because the site is calmer, you may notice things that are not always obvious during term time. Look out for items such as: Roof condition, slipped tiles and blocked gutters• Signs of damp, leaks or water staining• Wear and tear to windows and doors• Condition of fire doors• Any health and safety concerns that are easier to spot in empty spaces Make notes or take photos so you can build a clear picture of priorities. Review your compliance and statutory checks Holidays are a good time to check that key documentation is up to date. This may include: Asbestos management plans• Fire risk assessments• Gas and electrical certificates• Servicing records If anything is due for renewal or review, try to schedule this before pupils return. Speak to your site team Your caretakers and site staff often spot emerging issues first. Use the quieter period to gather their feedback. Ask about recurring problems, areas they believe need investment and any repairs they have carried out recently. This insight is often incredibly useful when planning future works. Consider long term planning needs A holiday review is not only about immediate repairs. It is also a chance to consider your wider estate vision. Ask yourself: Are teaching spaces fit for purpose• Are there areas where energy efficiency could be improved• Do you need to plan ahead for future Condition Improvement Funding bids• Are there buildings nearing end of life that may require larger projects Having a clear sense of your longer term goals makes funding applications and budget planning much more effective. Capture everything in a simple summary Once you have gathered all information, create an overview of: Urgent priorities• Medium term needs• Longer term strategic improvements This helps leaders, governors and trusts understand where focus is needed and supports better decision making for the new term. How AltMarkt can support you If you would like help reviewing your estate, preparing for future funding rounds or developing a clear plan for your school buildings, our team is here to support you. Get in touch to discuss how we can help you start the new year with confidence. Contact Us