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As schools wait for CIF funding announcements in May, they are being advised to be ready to move fast to meet tight delivery deadlines.
Schools are entering the final years of the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), with the Department for Education planning to replace the programme with a new capital maintenance funding model by autumn 2028.
That means the 2027–28 round is expected to be the final opportunity for many academy trusts and sixth-form colleges to secure funding through CIF.
Hundreds of school estates teams across England are waiting to hear whether their 2026–27 CIF applications have been successful, with funding decisions expected from the Department for Education in May.
Awards will trigger an immediate delivery race. Estates managers, technical advisers and contractors will have only a limited period to mobilise projects and complete works during the school summer holidays.
In many cases CIF funding only covers part of the required works, meaning schools and trusts must prioritise carefully, manage tight capital budgets and sometimes phase projects across multiple funding rounds.
Will Hunnam, Managing Director of Forza Doors, said: “CIF funding is essentially a delivery programme with a very tight timetable. Once awards are confirmed, schools need to move quickly to finalise scope, appoint contractors and prepare sites for summer works.
“For many condition improvement projects, particularly those involving fire safety and compliance upgrades, the ability to move quickly from award to delivery will determine whether the project succeeds.
“In our experience, the projects that succeed are the ones where delivery partners understand the pace required and can mobilise at speed.”
The CIF programme assumes that many intrusive works will be completed during the summer holiday period, when school buildings are empty and sites are more accessible.
However, this also creates a compressed delivery window for projects that may involve safety-critical upgrades such as fire protection works, building envelope repairs or mechanical and electrical replacements.
For estates teams and consultants supporting CIF projects, early clarity around scope, procurement and programme can significantly reduce delivery risk.
CIF delivery also takes place within strict governance structures. Academy trusts and local authorities must ensure projects follow approved procurement frameworks, maintain clear audit trails and receive appropriate board or governing body oversight while safeguarding requirements are maintained throughout delivery.
Here are three priorities for reducing delivery risk and keeping projects on programme.
- Lock down the project scope early
Successful projects typically begin with a clearly defined scope that matches the original CIF application.
Any deviation from the approved works can create delays or require further approvals. Ensuring surveys are up to date, product specifications are signed off, and potential risks such as asbestos, access constraints or building services issues are understood early can help projects move rapidly once funding is confirmed.
- Secure delivery partners ahead of time
Procurement and contractor appointment often represent the biggest cause of programme delays.
Projects that progress smoothly usually have a compliant procurement route identified in advance, whether through existing frameworks, local authority arrangements or trusted approved suppliers. This allows delivery partners to mobilise quickly once funding is confirmed, which is particularly important where works must be completed during the summer holiday window.
- Plan and sequence summer delivery carefully
Many CIF projects rely on uninterrupted access during the summer break to complete intrusive works safely and efficiently. Mapping out site availability in advance, including exams, safeguarding requirements and any holiday activities, is the essential first step.
From there, sequencing becomes critical. Delivery schedules should be planned well in advance, with clear contractor access windows established and all supply chain partners confirmed on the programme. The ability of suppliers and manufacturers to commit to and meet specific delivery dates often determines whether a project completes on time.
Projects addressing health and safety issues, including fire protection, remain a priority within the CIF programme. Schools and contractors must balance strict compliance requirements with the realities of tight project timelines.
Hunnam added: “Many CIF projects involve fire safety and compliance works where specification is tightly controlled and timelines are short.
“Schools and contractors need manufacturing partners who can demonstrate full certification, consistent product quality and the ability to deliver within very tight lead times.
“If products can’t be manufactured and supplied quickly once funding is confirmed, even well-planned projects can struggle to stay within the summer delivery window.”
For further guidance regarding CIF click here.
FMJ and Watco Webinar: Meeting compliance in a new culture of accountability
From January 2026, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) formally separated from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Created under the Building Safety Act 2022 in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the BSR is designed to raise safety standards across the built environment and introduce a stronger culture of accountability, transparency, and proactive risk management.
This shift places facilities managers in a more strategic safety assurance role – far beyond routine maintenance.
FMJ and Watco are hosting a webinar on 22 April at 11:00am to explore what this new regulatory landscape means for FMs. To register for the webinar click here.
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