The next round of the School Rebuilding Programme is now open. Responsible bodies have until midday on Thursday 23 April 2026 to submit nominations through the online portal. Only 250 schools and sixth-form colleges will be selected.
This is a competitive process where the strength and quality of your technical evidence is key. Charles Garth helps schools, academy trusts, local authorities and governing bodies prepare surveys and reports needed to support strong, compliant submissions.
Get in touch to see how we can support.
What the programme is looking for
To be considered, nominated blocks must meet the definition of rebuilding or significant refurbishment need. In simple terms, the case must show that the building problems are so serious that patch repairs will not resolve them long term.
The School Rebuilding Programme prioritises high-need schools based on building condition, with a focus on urgent safety concerns and severe condition issues requiring significant intervention.
In priority order, the Department for Education is looking for:
- Extensive structural or building safety issues
Blocks that are not fit for use, or are likely to become unfit for use in the near future because they pose a risk to users. - Extensive, severe condition need
Severe deterioration across a majority of the affected blocks in at least three of the four critical elements: external walls, roofs, mechanical systems and electrical systems.
In both cases, the emphasis is on scale and severity. Is the issue isolated, or does it affect most of the block? Can it realistically be repaired, or is major intervention required?
If you are relying on structural or safety grounds for your nomination, professional evidence is essential. Building surveys play a critical role in identifying urgent and severe issues, ensuring that problems are clearly evidenced and prioritised.
Why CDC2 alone is not enough
Condition Data Collection (CDC2) reports provide a baseline. However, where deterioration has accelerated or structural concerns are suspected, CDC2 data may not fully reflect the current risk.
If buildings have worsened, or if hidden structural issues exist, additional professional evidence dated within the last three years will be required.
That evidence should:
- Be prepared by a suitably qualified building professional
- Clearly describe the defect and how much of the block is affected
- Explain why rebuilding or substantial refurbishment is the only realistic long-term solution
- Include supporting plans and clear photographs
Clear, well-structured reporting strengthens your nomination and reduces the risk of challenge.
How we support your nomination
Charles Garth is a RICS-regulated building surveying and cost consultancy practice. Our team works across education projects, supporting schools and trusts with condition advice, compliance and capital planning.
To help you prepare for a School Rebuilding Programme nomination, we can:
- Carry out targeted structural and condition surveys of your school buildings
- Assess whether issues meet the DfE published criteria
- Produce concise, structured reports aligned to the block references
- Provide properly labelled plans and supporting images
- Present clear conclusions on severity and long-term viability
- Provide guidance on compliance with safety regulations and maintenance planning
We also support schools with cost management and project management, helping estates teams plan delivery should their project be approved.
Typical issues across school estates
Across the estates we review, common themes include:
- Roofs reaching the end of their service life across large areas
- External wall systems deteriorating at scale
- Mechanical and electrical services beyond economic repair
- Structural movement affecting significant parts of a block
- Higher-risk construction types such as RAAC requiring deeper investigation
- Safety concerns that could lead to partial closure
Not all of these automatically justify rebuilding. The determining factor is usually how widespread the issue is and whether targeted repair would resolve it effectively. The case must demonstrate that a substantial proportion of the block is affected.
The portal is open now
The nomination portal is live. You have 10 weeks to:
- Register and verify portal access
- Confirm building and block information
- Review existing condition data
- Commission any further surveys
- Receive and review reports
- Upload professional evidence
- Complete internal approvals and declarations
Surveyor availability, report preparation and internal governance can quickly reduce the time available, so early planning is essential.
Considering a nomination?
There are currently 519 projects in the programme. Only 250 additional places are available in this round as part of the planned allocation process. The DfE will also consider a small number of cases outside the standard nomination process where a severe and urgent need for rebuilding is clear.
If your school estate includes blocks affected by serious structural risk or widespread deterioration, now is the time to act. Strengthen your position with clear, well-presented professional evidence.
Charles Garth can:
- Review your existing data
- Advise whether further investigation is justified
- Carry out targeted building surveys
- Produce compliant reports ready for upload
We support academy trusts, local authorities and governing bodies across the North and nationally. If you are considering a nomination, speak to Charles Garth now to ensure a robust submission before 23 April 2026.
School rebuilding programme: request a call back
The current government has confirmed continued investment in building schools across the country, with projects prioritised on condition and long-term value for money. For schools and public services, reliable data is critical as estates teams respond to ageing buildings, compliance pressures and increased scrutiny around capital funding.
Schools selected for the Rebuilding Programme will be delivered to the latest construction standards, designed to be net-zero in operation and more resilient to the effects of climate change. As the programme develops over the next decade, responsible bodies should also consider how proposals support SEND provision, ensuring investment delivers buildings that are inclusive, adaptable and capable of meeting a wider range of pupil needs alongside long-term environmental performance.
