The outcome of another round of funding under the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) has recently been announced. For some schools, this will have been welcome news, with building projects approved. However, for many other schools this may mean that they have missed out on this vital source of government funding.
At Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors, we are aware of the frustration that can be caused by unsuccessful CIF bids. The CIF is one of the few annual funding routes available to schools, and missing out may mean the school having to find the funds to undertake the works themselves; a prospect that can often be near-impossible.
But are there steps a school could take to improve their chances of CIF success? For some schools, it can be as simple as changing their school building consultant…
At Lea Hough, we have seen successful results from academies who have chosen to switch their CIF bid consultant to use our services.
For example, the LET Trust in Lancashire switched their previous consultant to ourselves and had five bids approved in the next round, compared to the one bid approved in the previous year.
We have also seen similar success from the BEAM Trust at Lymm, with four bids approved in the current CIF round, compared to the one approved via their former consultant’s applications in the previous year.
One of our most notable success stories is The Pennine Trust. Having made multiple bids in previous years via another consultant without success, the first year they used Lea Hough saw the trust achieve a clean sweep for their schools; with six bids approved from the six applications made. We have had further success at every funding round ever since, resulting in lots of projects and investment into their buildings.
As the above examples show, having the right CIF bid consultant is essential for achieving success with CIF bids. The consultant should have a good understanding of the bidding process and be able to provide clear advice and guidance. They should also be able to communicate regularly with the school and ensure that all paperwork is in order.
Lea Hough’s team of highly experienced and knowledgeable consultants have extensive knowledge in the education sector and have a proven track record of successful CIF bids.
We can help you review your school’s feedback from previous CIF bids and ensure that any issues are addressed when the bids are next submitted. We can also visit your school and re-assess the situation to ensure that the best CIF bids are put forward.
At Lea Hough, we understand the importance of CIF bids to academies and the impact they can have on a school’s ongoing success. We provide a comprehensive service and ensure that we communicate regularly with our clients.
We are proud and passionate about our work in the education sector striving to provide the best possible service and ensure that our clients’ CIF bids are successful.
If you are considering swapping your CIF bid consultant, please contact us and ask to speak to a member of our Education Team. With our experienced and knowledgeable team of consultants, we can ensure that your CIF bids are successful and that your school is given the best chance to excel.
