Demographic change is creating a very different set of pressures for trusts, local 
authorities and education leaders. In some places mainstream capacity may become 
surplus, while demand for SEND, alternative provision and more inclusive environments 
continues to grow.
The discussion will explore the choices education leaders will increasingly need to make:
• Where are the biggest estate capacity pinch-points likely to emerge over the next decade?
• Where might current models of estate planning, funding and implementation fall short?
• When capacity becomes surplus, how should trusts and local authorities decide whether to 
shrink, consolidate, repurpose or invest?
• What would it take to successfully adapt existing space for SEND, AP, early years or 
community use?
• How do we create an estate capable of expanding, contracting and changing use as needs 
evolve?