Educational suitability

Suitability assessments identify any issues that may have a direct impact on the delivery of education within a school. Examples may range from a shortfall in teaching space to inadequate toilet provision.

The assessments cover the following aspects of teaching and non-teaching accommodation, including staff facilities:

• number, size, shape and location of spaces
• environmental conditions
• fittings and fixed furniture
• information & communications technology (ICT) infrastructure
• health and safety
• security issues

How William Martin can help

We have been involved in asset management plans since the late 1990's when we helped create a weighting system for educational suitability.

The DCSF requires local education authorities to perform these assessments as part of their asset management planning process. It is vitally important that they are carried out accurately as the data collected will be used to determine future capital allocations e.g. through the Primary Capital Programme.

We can undertake suitability assessments as a stand-alone exercise, or using a web-based system for a portfolio of properties.