‘Efficient Finance and Estates Management’ is a core pillar in the Trust’s strategy and I am very grateful for the work undertaken by our site team daily.
We are very pleased with the new development at Siddington C of E Primary School and the refurbishments that we have been able to achieve at Chesterton Primary School. Both have been the result of effective partnership working and external funding.
We are determined to ensure that all of our schools are fit for the future, and we are in the process of reviewing the draft site masterplan at Cirencester Deer Park School and developing masterplans for our two new schools, Down Ampney and Sherborne C of E Primary Schools. This will ensure that, should capital funding become available in the future, our schools will have robust plans in place to bring about improvements.
Capital funding for schools is extremely limited, and the DFE’s Capital Improvement Fund (CIF) is a bit of a lottery. Unfortunately, our applications for Deer Park, Siddington, and Kemble were unsuccessful in 2024-25 for the second time. We are now working with the consultants to strengthen these applications, which relate to heating, roofing, and the replacement of temporary buildings, before resubmitting them this year. The deadline is in December 2025
Following the outcomes of the last CIF round, we understand the key criteria were ‘risk to life’ and ‘risk of imminent closure’. Successful bids were able to evidence based on need and impact on teaching and learning.
We continue to work hard to ensure all of our school buildings are maintained and fit for purpose.
