What is a condition survey - why is it important for schools and academies?

Why are condition surveys important for schools and academies?

The Department for Education recently disclosed that there is a “critical – very likely” risk of schools building collapsing but admitted that they do not know which schools are at greatest risk, so it has become more important than ever that those responsible for educational buildings seek professional help.

Schools and academies are judged by the quality of education and the behaviour and attitudes of their pupils, but there are also some practical legal requirements you cannot overlook. One such requirement is that your school is in a good enough physical condition to keep pupils, staff and visitors safe, and to do that, you need to carry out a building condition survey on your school estate.  

WHAT IS A BUILDING CONDITION SURVEY?

A building condition survey is a visual inspection of the physical, mechanical and electrical condition of your school buildings, systems and external areas. Condition surveys provide a uniform, objective way to gather information about the condition of your buildings and should be completed by a chartered building surveyor. Poor maintenance of school and academy buildings and the failure to identify potential issues can lead to all sorts of problems, from large repair bills and the closure of buildings to risks to health and safety, legal claims and a shorter building life. This is where building condition surveys can help.

What are the benefits of regular condition surveys?

Condition surveys identify any urgent health and safety risks on your school estates so you can provide a safe learning environment for your students. They also allow you to target your resources effectively to prevent costly repairs. 

Conducting regular building condition surveys can also help you:

• Avoid unnecessary expenses by rectifying issues early on
• Understand how much repair work might cost
• Prioritise work in line with the available funds
• Plan preventive maintenance
• Rectify compliance breaches

What’s included in a school building condition survey?

School building condition surveys are based on the requirements of the Department for Education and can be used to keep your school’s or academy’s Asset Management Plan up-to-date.

At Eddisons, we conduct a visual inspection of every part of your buildings, including the windows, roof, walls, ventilation, the building fabric, electrical systems, heating and more. We grade all the individual elements A to D (A being good and D being bad), along with the associated risks and a priority classification for how urgently the works need to be carried out. We also provide recommendations for the remedial work or replacements required, along with costings.

Another crucial part of the survey is to check the existence and validity of compliance documentation, such as the Electrical Inspection Certificate and fire and insurance policies. The report also provides information about other ways you can improve your buildings, for example, to make energy savings.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU NEED TO CARRY OUT A BUILDING CONDITION SURVEY?

Building condition surveys will usually cover a period of three to five years. However, it’s recommended that you conduct a survey every two years. A survey typically takes one to four weeks to complete depending on the size and condition of the school. 

CAN YOU GET FUNDING FOR SCHOOL BUILDING CONDITION SURVEYS?

Although schools and academies are expected to pay for building condition surveys, the information the survey provides can be used as evidence to apply for funding. A building condition survey can also help you prioritise your funding allocation. Grants that are available from the Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) include:

• Condition Improvement Funding (CIF) & Urgent Capital Support (UCF) on application and only available to smaller schools and trusts
• School Condition Allocation (SCA) & Devolved Formula Capital Funding (DFC) allocated directly to the schools and trusts – SCA is larger trusts only
• Section 106 allocated by the local authority for expansion or new schools and paid for by property developers.

The cost of a building condition survey varies depending on the size of the school and the number of elements our surveyors need to look at.

WHO SHOULD CARRY OUT THE CONDITION SURVEY?

Building condition surveys should be carried out by professionally qualified chartered building surveyors who have experience working in schools and academies. That experience helps them understand the grading system and provide an accurate determination of the condition of your estates and the priority of works so you can allocate funds accordingly. 

HOW CAN WE HELP?

We have a team of over 30 RICS-approved building surveyors who provide a first-class service to academies, schools, trusts and colleges nationwide. As experts in the education sector, we also have the expertise to project manage your building or maintenance works and help you secure funding. 

Find out more about our building condition surveys for schools and academies and get in touch to discuss your requirements.