Ministers have set out a 10-year Education Estates Strategy, promising to move from patch-and-mend repairs to planned renewal across schools and colleges. Announced on Wednesday 11 February 2026 by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, the plan blends long-term capital with near-term fixes and climate resilience.

The headline figure is £38bn of capital between 2025–26 and 2029–30, described by the Department for Education as the highest since 2010. Alongside that sits a further £1bn to tackle buildings that are crumbling, overheating or simply not fit for purpose, with the goal of modern, inclusive facilities that last for decades.

A new £700m Renewal and Retrofit Programme will target leaky roofs, failing heating systems and flood protection. Officials say the right upgrades can extend a building’s life by 15 to 40 years-far cheaper than full rebuild where the structure is sound. More than 40 school closures linked to building issues last year show why speed matters.

Digital is part of the fabric rather than an afterthought. A further £300m for Connect the Classroom aims to close the digital divide so teaching can rely on robust Wi‑Fi, secure networks and dependable device charging-key for modern curricula and assessment.

The strategy leans into inclusion by design. Government expects every secondary school, over time, to operate an inclusion base: a quiet, safe space away from busy classrooms where pupils can access targeted support that bridges mainstream and specialist provision. Guidance will follow on converting existing rooms into effective spaces.

This is backed by more than £3.7bn to create 60,000 places for children and young people with SEND, plus £200m for specialist teacher training and the introduction of ‘inclusion’ as a new judgement within Ofsted reports. The intent is more needs met in mainstream settings where appropriate.

For the construction sector, a decade‑long pipeline points to steadier workloads. Expect a tilt towards retrofit packages-insulation, ventilation, heat pumps and flood resilience-to cut overheating and damp. Rebuilds will still happen, but the cheaper carbon‑light route will often be to upgrade what already exists.

Budgets will need discipline. Surveys can unearth hidden defects; inflation and skills shortages can erode scope. School business leaders should phase works around exams, build sensible contingencies and lock in specifications early where possible to reduce variation orders.

On the technology side, procurement will likely prioritise high‑density classroom Wi‑Fi, managed switches, power resilience and cybersecurity to protect sensitive data. Suppliers able to install during holidays and prove lower total cost of ownership are well placed.

Parents and pupils should not expect cranes everywhere on day one. The near‑term wins are roof repairs, heating fixes and flood defences, along with connectivity upgrades that make lessons smoother and reduce downtime. Rebuilds will follow once surveys, design and planning are complete.

Phillipson cast the programme as a break with decades of short‑termism, arguing that stable capital lets leaders focus on teaching rather than leaking roofs. The social pitch is clear too: remove barriers so every child learns in a safe, accessible environment that supports their needs.

The delivery test will define the next decade. If ministers sustain funding and local teams coordinate well, the 2030s estate should be warmer, safer and more inclusive. Our read: early spend will cluster in building fabric and connectivity, with inclusion bases scaling as refurbishment cycles come through.