Education funding · SSICB
Strategic School Improvement Capital Budget (SSICB)
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Talk to our education team about your estate, the project you are considering and whether it could be suitable for SSICB funding.
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Trusted by over 500 education clients across the UK
Successfully securing your SSICB funding
To secure SSICB funding, a strategically robust case must be presented to the DfE which requires detailed technical evidence and clear financial justification. Our experienced team manages the entire process on your behalf, from condition assessments and cost planning to strategic positioning and submission support, ensuring your proposal meets strict eligibility criteria and presents the strongest possible case for approval.
- Our surveyors undertake detailed Condition Surveys and Asset Management Plans to identify capital issues that meet SSICB’s high threshold for eligibility, focusing on urgent, significant works that could otherwise block a transfer.
- We compile comprehensive technical reports, develop appropriate design solutions, prepare cost plans, programme timelines and risk assessments aligned to DfE requirements.
- We prepare and structure all documentation in accordance with SSICB guidance, working closely with the trust and DfE project leads to support approval prior to transfer.
- Following a successful bid, we meet with your decision-makers to review every aspect of your project, before the scheme commences
- Following funding approval, AEC provides full Contract Administration and Project Management, ensuring compliant delivery and ongoing reporting to the DfE.
Why do you need SSICB funding?
The Strategic School Improvement Capital Budget is a targeted DfE fund designed to remove significant capital barriers that would otherwise prevent academy sponsorship or transfer.
It supports urgent and high-cost condition, safeguarding or essential infrastructure works that are critical to a school’s viability but fall outside standard capital routes.
SSICB is typically required where:
- A school transferring under intervention has substantial condition liabilities
- Capital risks would deter a trust from taking on the school
- Urgent safeguarding or infrastructure works are required pre-transfer
- The scale of works exceeds the incoming trust’s financial capacity
Our experience in technical due diligence, capital strategy and DfE funding submissions ensures your project is positioned correctly, demonstrating that the works are essential, eligible and strategically necessary to enable improvement.
We take care of your requirements on a no funding, no fee basis
This means we prepare, develop and submit your bid for funding without an upfront charge, and our professional fees are covered within the grant you receive. If your bid is unsuccessful, there is no cost to you. It’s that simple.
Why choose AEC?
Our industry-leading specialists understand both the technical and strategic requirements of SSICB.
With extensive experience in academy transfer due diligence, capital risk assessment and DfE funding submissions, we support trusts in navigating complex capital challenges with clarity and confidence.
We don’t just prepare submissions, we position projects strategically to enable successful transfers and long-term estate sustainability.
Testimonials
What our education clients say
Our work is built around giving school leaders and estates teams clear advice, practical support and confidence throughout the project.
We have had an excellent experience working with AEC. Their support in drawing up comprehensive plans and costings for a new SEN centre on our campus has been invaluable. Their expert advice has enabled us to navigate complex regulations with confidence, and we have found them extremely responsive and adaptable during our many back-and-forth discussions. We couldn't be happier with their service.
AEC has provided us with high quality support during each stage of our project. A collaborative, patient approach was taken with our stakeholders which helped to ensure that the designs of our space were able to evolve to support our overall vision. Communication has been clear throughout the project and we have felt that AEC have acted in our best interests at each and every stage of the project.
AEC have been nothing short of exceptional in supporting the school through the disruption that comes with (multiple) roof changes, including those imposed externally at short notice. They offered our team full reassurance that complex, and potentially dangerous projects were well thought through, managed to time (in some cases ahead of time) and safe. I cannot recommend them highly enough.
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Start preparing your SSICB application
If your school has a building issue or improvement project that may be suitable for SSICB funding, it is worth starting the conversation early. We can help you understand:
- Whether your school is likely to be eligible
- Whether your project could be suitable for SSICB
- What supporting evidence may be needed
- How much preparation is involved
- What you should do next
Free and without obligation.
