With some 38% of school buildings believed to be past their initial design life, maintenance and refurbishment has an important role to extending their life span. A school’s roof is critical to ensuring a watertight building and with flat roofs often prevalent, their condition, life span and refurbishment should be part of the school estate plan.
But if your school roof is leaking, what are the steps to get a new school roof funded? Read on for our quick guide.
1. Understand the extent of the damage to the school roof
You may have buckets, stained roof tiles and floors but a review of the condition of the roof is always a good starting point. An experienced roofing expert will be able to identify any existing and potential failure points by an extensive visual survey on site and on the roof. Intrusive surveys, which can mean core samples, can also be helpful to assess sodden insulation, water ingress tracking under failed membranes as well as defining the roof build up and its thermal properties. Such surveys are provided free of charge by reputable suppliers such as Triflex. School records including the cost of running repairs also assist in defining the current roof state.
2. Which is the funding route available to your school?
There are three main funding streams from the Department of Education in the UK. The school condition allocation (SCA) for those bodies that consist of at least 5 schools and 3,000 pupils (79% of UK schools), provides direct funding to invest in improving the condition of the school estate. Those with fewer than 5 schools and 3,000 pupils (21% of schools) must bid for the condition improvement fund (CIF) for specific projects. In addition, the devolved funding capitol (DFC) is allocated for individual schools to spend on small scale capital projects. In 2023-24 this was £1.1, £0.5 and £0.2 billion respectively.
3. Define the condition need
Funding formulas are used which incorporate indicators of condition needs such as condition data collection information, alongside the pupil numbers and whether the school is a primary, secondary or special school. If the school is eligible for application to the Condition Improvement Fund, then the roof condition survey needs to be focused to fulfil its specific criteria. Remember, condition need is not just about bricks and mortar, but also about the impact the damage is having on the school’s ability to deliver on its curriculum. Considerations can also include the impact on the school’s DFC budget or the return on investment for the SCA. Thermal improvements can be incorporated into flat roof refurbishment providing a reduced energy expenditure for example.
4. Consider who the specialists are that can assist
There are a host of experts who can assist, from funding specialists, to chartered surveyors and structural engineers. All of whom may call in further expertise from the likes of flat roofing waterproofing specialists like Triflex. Specialist manufacturers such as Triflex conduct flat roofing condition surveys to support project needs, as well as advise on building legislation compliant options for ensuring a watertight building, or thermal upgrade from replacement to refurbishment. A direct approach to Triflex can help get you started on your journey and advice is free.
5. Consider using a consultant for CIF bid funding
For a successful CIF bid or other funding application, independent evidence and support is required. The consultant will be able to coordinate, collate and analyse all the data. Capable of looking at both the big picture and the detail, they understand what will give your bid the best chance of success. With only a third of all CIF bid submissions successful, working with a proven bid consultant who has the required skills, resource and time can make all the difference. Triflex collaborate with specialist consultancy firms to help schools with funding for their flat roof project. Click here to read more on our Education sector support.
How can Triflex help with your school’s leaking roof?
We have been protecting the built environment with high quality cold liquid applied waterproofing for decades. To achieve long-term warrantied solutions, we have a range of services and expertise we provide free of charge to the education sector. We work closely with consultants and can be the first port of call by the school business leader, headteacher or estate manager to help assess the condition of flat roofs in schools, universities and colleges. All our solutions are cold liquid applied, negating fire risks and keeping insurers happy. Quickly installed, even in winter temperatures, our solutions offer minimal disruption to school life.
Free flat roof waterproof condition survey: Our local experts provide visual condition surveys to help characterise the condition of the school estates’ flat roofs.
CIF Bid Funding assistance: We work with experts with a proven track record of success to help your project achieve funding.
Procurement framework: Triflex is an approved system supplier on the B2G services framework for flat roofing.
Free bespoke project specification: Full surveys and bespoke project specifications in line with funding requirements
National network of approved installers: We only work with Triflex approved installers who are trained by us at the Triflex Academy. Our team of technical experts continue to provide support to our approved installers both on-site and off-site during any project.
Warranties: Our solutions are underpinned by meaningful warranties backed by insurance. And with a long track record and stable financial history we are here for the long term.