Non-DfE Funded Services

Find out what else Create: Schools can do for you

SEND Capital Funding & Mainstream Inclusion

In the wake of Labour's general election victory in 2024, the new government promised £740m to be spent on improving standards in supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). At Create: Schools, we are working closely with both multi-academy trusts (MAT) and local authorities (LA) to strengthen collaboration, showcase best practise, and support evidence-based proposals that align with the government’s push for mainstream inclusion. With SEND remaining a critical priority in both policy and funding discussions, there is a significant opportunity for both LAs and MATs to position themselves as key drivers in delivering high-quality, inclusive provision in their communities.

Many are already taking proactive steps to ensure they are well-positioned for funding, and we are finding:

Early engagement between trusts and local authorities strengthens positioning over funding allocations
A focus on mainstream inclusion aligns directly with the government’s priorities
Evidence-based proposals showcasing best practise are proving most compelling
Strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders improves local ties
Developing evidence-based proposals demonstrates alignment with funding priorities

Project Management

With our well-rounded expertise and significant experience, C:S offers an initial ‘light-touch’ level of project management support. Accessible through both C:S and PAG team members alike, and whilst ensuring DfE projects remain on track, we are uniquely placed to work with you on pre-opening due to existing, open relationships and many years of supporting on new provision.

Amongst many others, the benefits of working with Create: Schools on your pre-opening project management include:

Ensuring new school projects remain on track and are compliant with all necessary standards to eliminate delays with pre-opening
Improving submission quality of relevant documentation utilising the skill set of both C:S and PAG
A deep, unique understanding of the sector and the work surrounding new provision

Pre-Opening Project Management

Support for Local Authorities

Create: Schools has built strong relationships with dozens of local authorities, streamlining processes during Free School Waves and demonstrating the value of sustained collaboration. These existing relationships, combined with our stellar sector knowledge, mean we continue to work with LAs outside of the Central Waves on a number of different initiatives and projects. Whether navigating funding challenges, delivering new provision, or building and maintaining stakeholder relationships, Create: Schools remains a closely trusted partner of local authorities up and down the country.

As well as the above, Create: Schools can work with LAs on:

Supporting the delivery of LA-initiated schools and ensuring fair competition
Providing guidance following policy to enable trusts and/or authorities to open schools seamlessly
Supporting with work such as feasibility studies, strategy implementation, and guidance where required
Organising engagement events and continually ensuring transparency through routes to set up new schools

Research

The trusting partnerships we have established with LAs and trusts enable Create: Schools to conduct research and provide comprehensive feasibility reports. Using industry leading tools and platforms, we deliver detailed analyses to help LAs identify key pressure points, allocate resources effectively, and develop robust sufficiency strategies.

Through extensive work throughout the sector, Create: Schools can deliver comprehensive research projects by being able to lean on:

Years-long relationships with schools, trusts, and LAs
A unique understanding of the needs and demands of the sector
Extensive experience working at school/trust, local government, and national government levels
A decade of sector experience through our colleagues at PAG

Fundraising Support

This additional layer of support seeks to alleviate fundraising pressures through the utilisation of our existing network and presence across social platforms, leaving us well-placed to uplift the causes close to the heart of education providers and ensure that reach increases.