DFE School Estate Management Standard April 2025

May 7, 2025

DFE have published the School Estate Management School Estate Management Standards 2025 which is designed to support schools in managing their estates. This document is supported by Good estate management for schools There are four levels of estate management standards:
  • Level 1 – baseline
  • Level 2 – transitioning
  • Level 3 – fully effective
  • Level 4 – advanced
What does this mean for the school? This standard states that all schools should be at Level 1 as the baseline starting point and progressing to Level 3. It also states that schools may wish to progress to Level 4, if this fits their strategic aims. Level 1 includes the following areas;
  • Strategic estate management, that includes policies, governance and a 3-5 strategic plan.
  • Planning and organising your estate resources, having a named individual responsible for estate management, continuity planning to cover any emergencies related to the estate. Budget forecasts and management to  prioritise funding for estates management that considers existing risk assessments.
  • Understanding and managing your land and buildings, understanding the condition and holding core data.
  • Maintaining your estate, making sure your school is safe.
  • Health and safety, statutory compliance, suitable health and safety policy, risk register and suitable sufficient risk assessments, building structural condition, knowing the duties within the CDM client regulations, evidence of compliance, COSHH management
  • Fire Safety, competent fire risk assessment, suitable fire safety compliance to RRFSO and related BS standards
  • Asbestos management, compliant asbestos management, including compliance to CAR 2012, up to date asbestos management plan, survey, and register
  • Legionella, compliance to L8 standards, water risk assessment
  • Other, DEC, Security, Radon Gas, Pedestrian Vehicle safety, parking and playground, tree safety
It can only be seen as a good progression that raises the profile of estates management and health safety compliance. Schools may already compliant with a high percentage of these requirements but will need to factor in the planning and implementation of the specific requirements for each level. NASPM are currently working on supporting documents and training specifically to support you in this development works. Encourage schools that are not members of NASPM to join as this platform supports GEM and the whole estates management.
National Alliance of School Premises Management
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