School Estate Management Standards and Competency

The School Estate Management Standards are designed to support schools to manage their estates effectively.

These standards help schools to prioritise projects within their estate, build on good practice and observe legal requirements. The document gives practical advice on the basics of managing a school estate and how to progress to fully achieving effective practice. It also signposts users to expert advice.

School estate management standards  break down to four levels:

• Level 1 – baseline
• Level 2 – transitioning
• Level 3 – fully effective
• Level 4 – advanced

In addition, there is the Estate management competency framework (published June 2023) setting out the skills and qualifications required of school estate managers including those involved in leadership and governance.

Their aim is to support all schools in a practical and non-judgemental way, to understand where to start, how to progress and prioritise and how to make best use of expert advice. All schools should be at Level 1 as the baseline starting point and progressing to Level 3. Schools may wish to progress to Level 4, if this fits their strategic aims.