School Condition Allocation is the main capital budget for larger multi-academy trusts (MATs.) Used well, this annual funding keeps school buildings safe, compliant and able to support teaching without disruption.
This guide sets out what SCA funding is, how it works, and what MATs need in place before planning their 2026 programme. It also explains how Charles Garth, a SCA funding consultant for academies, supports Trusts with reliable data, clear priorities and confident project delivery.
What is SCA funding?
School Condition Allocation is capital funding from the Department for Education. The School Condition Allocation (SCA) is a guaranteed, automatic annual capital grant for eligible bodies responsible for maintaining school buildings and grounds. It is awarded to Responsible Bodies that meet the annual eligibility threshold – they must have 5 or more open schools and at least 3,000 pupils based on the Individualised Learner Record (ILR). Responsible bodies include Local Authorities, large multi-academy Trusts (MATs), and large voluntary aided bodies.
This capital funding grant must be used for long-life assets linked to the condition of school buildings, compliance, health and safety, and risk. It is not for revenue costs. Across the school estate, typical categories include:
- Roofs, windows, doors and building fabric
- Internal and external structure
- Mechanical and electrical systems
- Fire safety improvements
- Asbestos, legionella and other statutory compliance actions
- Accessibility works
- Energy efficiency upgrades
- Urgent works that prevent closure or disruption
An accurate, up-to-date building condition survey for SCA funding assessments directly influences future allocations. Weak or outdated data limits what a Trust can secure and how it prioritises.
Who receives School Condition Allocations?
School Condition Allocation provides eligible multi-academy trusts with a predictable yearly capital budget to look after and upgrade their school buildings. Trusts that meet the size threshold receive the funding automatically, with the allocation shaped by the number of pupils across their schools.
For 2026 to 2027, DfE will assess eligibility criteria based on the number of open, eligible schools as of September 2025.
Trusts below the threshold do not receive this funding. Their schools receive Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) instead.
Growth, mergers and academisation can change a Trust’s position year by year.
What can School Condition Allocation SCA can be spent on?
So, how to spend SCA Funding? School condition funding must deliver capital works that address the condition of school buildings or compliance. In practice the scope is wide, covering everything from fire alarm upgrades and boiler replacements to full roof schemes and end-of-life electrical systems. Key themes across MAT estates include:
- Ageing mechanical and electrical systems
- Backlog fabric issues
- Poor thermal performance
- Non-compliance with DfE and statutory standards
- Safeguarding and access requirements
- Energy performance improvements
The common thread is works that maintain and improve, and keep buildings safe, warm and open.
Conditions for using this allocation
MATs receiving SCA must show the DfE they have a rational, documented approach. This includes:
- Clear governance and delegated authority
- Evidence-based prioritisation
- A current estate strategy
- A rolling asset management plan
- A clear audit trail of decisions
- Consistent internal allocation across schools
- Value for money and compliance with procurement rules
This is where School Condition Allocation project management becomes critical. Without it, Trusts face delivery problems, inefficiencies and rising levels of unmanaged risk. Projects slip, costs increase, and estates teams lose sight of priorities. A structured, transparent process keeps decisions consistent, protects budgets and ensures funding is spent where it is needed most.
Why MATs need strong data and forward planning
SCA funding is Trust-wide. Decisions must be fair, risk-led and transparent.
To do that, leaders need:
- Current building condition surveys
- Risk and compliance assessments
- A prioritisation framework for complex facilities
- A multi-year investment plan
- Realistic cost data
- Clear procurement routes
- A deliverable summer works programme
Poor data creates weak decisions. It also undermines school capital works planning 2026, and limits the ability to manage backlog or secure additional capital.
How SCA funding fits with other capital routes
SCA sits alongside:
- Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) – for schools not receiving SCA
- Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) – for every school
- School Rebuilding Programme
- Local Authority capital grants (for maintained schools)
- Trusts receiving SCA generally cannot apply for CIF, except in limited circumstances such as expansion.
What strong School Condition Allocation project management looks like
A well-managed estate keeps buildings in good working order, addresses repairs promptly, and tackles any health and safety issues before they disrupt teaching. A well-run SCA programme has four key parts:
- Reliable survey data – Clear condition, lifecycle and compliance information across the estate.
- Clear decision-making – Consistent scoring, visible criteria and a defensible audit trail.
- A deliverable annual plan – Scoping, programming and cost planning that reflects real capacity.
- Active project management – Control of cost, time, procurement, contractor performance and risk.
This is the difference between fire-fighting and long-term stewardship.
How Charles Garth supports MATs with SCA
As a SCA funding consultant for academies, Charles Garth gives Trusts clarity, structure and confident delivery across their full SCA cycle:
- Condition and compliance surveys: Chartered surveyors delivering accurate condition, lifecycle and compliance data for SCA planning.
- Prioritisation and risk planning : Evidence-based frameworks that align works with DfE expectations and internal governance.
- Cost planning and procurement: Realistic budgets, costed schemes and tailored procurement routes to avoid delays and bottlenecks.
- Project delivery: Full project and design management, contract administration, risk control and stakeholder coordination.
- Long-term strategic planning: Rolling asset management plans and lifecycle forecasting to shape future SCA funding programmes.
We act as an estates partner, not just surveyors. Our role is to reduce risk, improve value and help MATs plan ahead with confidence.
Request your 2026 SCA programme plan
Charles Garth can prepare a full delivery plan for your 2026 School Condition Allocation programme. Whether you’re focusing on strategies to help maintain and improve or exploring an expansion strategy for more complex facilities, we can support.
This includes:
- Building Condition Surveys
- Risk and building compliance planning
- Detailed costs
- Procurement advice
- Project delivery approach
Explore our services. You will receive a clear view of priorities, required works and a deliverable programme aligned with DfE expectations.
Request a project delivery plan for your 2026 SCA programme.
