From Should Do to Must Do: Implementing the Education Estates Strategy
Matt Isherwood, Barker Associates, Associate Partner, Jo Burton, VWV, Partner, Natalie McSheffrey, Cranmer Education Trust, Operations Director

The Education Estates Strategy reinforces the School Estate Management Standards, and digital reporting conditions that now shape governance and compliance for Responsible Bodies. Jo Burton (VWV) and Matt Isherwood (Barker) will explain how these expectations gain contractual force through the Academy Trust Handbook and Trust and Funding Agreements, and what they mean for Estate leaders. They will be joined by Natalie McSheffrey, Operations Director at the Cranmer Education Trust, a Trust at the early stages of implementation, sharing real‑world insights on governance, data capability and cultural change. Delegates will gain clear, practical guidance for this first critical phase of reform.

Putting the Education Estates Strategy into Practice
Liz Mendelsohn, Arcadis Consulting, Director

The Department for Education’s Education Estates Strategy (2026–2036) is a landmark ten-year plan to renew, improve, and modernise school and college buildings across England. The strategy addresses pressing challenges: ageing infrastructure, climate resilience, shifting pupil demographics, rising SEND requirements, and the complexity of over 2,800 Responsible Bodies managing the estate.This panel discussion will focus on the challenges and practical solutions to help put the strategy into practice. Together, we can ensure the strategy delivers a safe, sustainable, and future-proofed education estate for all. The panel will include:•    A DfE representative•    Responsible Body representatives