Supporting schools to achieve School Estates Management Standards

TTN National School Estates Conference 2025 Review

The publication of the new School Estate Management Standards marks a significant step forward for school estates across the country.

These standards offer a clear, structured framework for managing school estates effectively and safely – and every school and responsible body should now be working to ensure they have the essentials in place to meet Level 1 as a minimum.

The launch of the Standards took place during a pivotal moment at the Trust Network National Conference 2025, where we had the privilege of welcoming over 200 school estates professionals, sector leaders and invited guests from across the country. Hosted at Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy in Walsall on 23rd April, the day was packed with energy and insights from a wide range of school estates professionals.

From the very start, the tone was set by Stephen Morgan MP, Shadow Minister for Schools, who opened the day with a powerful message. He recognised the vital work our members do and highlighted how a collaborative approach to school estates is crucial for raising standards and building a better future for all children. His words reinforced the importance of our work – and why coming together as a network is more critical than ever.

Throughout the day, we explored the biggest challenges and opportunities facing our sector through a programme of specialist workshops, expert panels, and peer-led discussions. Topics included climate action planning, staff development, smart estate solutions, mechanical equipment management, and capital programme delivery. It was encouraging to see so many estates professionals not only engaging with these topics but also sharing ideas and lessons from their own schools and trusts.

A particularly significant moment came when David Fugurally, DfE Head of Capital Efficiency and Capability, officially announced the publication of the School Estate Management Standards. This timely launch provided delegates with a unique opportunity to reflect on what effective estate management looks like – and how their schools and trusts can begin aligning with the new framework.

The Standards set out clear expectations for what ‘effective’ looks like, and Level 1 establishes the essential foundation every organisation should have in place. Achieving this level is not only best practice – it is now the baseline for effective school estate management.

At The Trust Network (TTN), we are here to support our members on this journey. Our resources, webinars, and community of practice provide practical advice and guidance to help you take the necessary steps toward the Standards Level 1 and beyond.

We closed our 2025 National Conference with a panel session titled ‘What Does Effective Look Like for Estates?’ The insights and experiences shared gave us all food for thought – not only about what works, but about where we can go from here.

James Miller, National Director of Sustainability and Infrastructure at Ormiston Academies Trust and Trust Network Coordinator, summed it up:

“It was a fantastic day – so much knowledge and energy in one place… Our sector is full of talented professionals doing vital work, often behind the scenes. The conference was about shining a light on that work and learning from each other to build stronger, safer and more sustainable schools.”

As we look ahead, every school and responsible body should be focused on meeting the Standards Level 1 essentials – and TTN is here to help.

Let’s build on the momentum of the launch and work together to create safer, smarter, and more sustainable school estates for all.