DfE 10-Year Estates Strategy

Energy is becoming a defining factor in how schools and Multi-Academy Trusts plan, manage and future-proof their estates. As the DfE’s 10-Year Estates Strategy takes shape, taking a strategic approach to energy is no longer optional, it’s essential.

The Department for Education’s 10-Year Education Estates Strategy signals a clear shift in how schools and Multi-Academy Trusts are expected to manage their estates. Sustainability, cost control and long-term resilience are no longer aspirations, they are requirements.

For education leaders, this reflects a reality already being felt across the sector. Rising energy costs, ageing infrastructure and increasing pressure to meet net zero targets mean energy can no longer be treated as a background cost. It is fast becoming central to financial planning, operational performance and compliance.

Energy is moving up the agenda

Schools are being asked to take a far more active role in how energy is used and managed. From low-carbon heating to on-site generation, the expectation is clear: estates must evolve to become more efficient, more resilient and less reliant on traditional energy sources.

This creates a different kind of challenge. Energy now sits at the intersection of estates, finance and leadership. Decisions made today around procurement, infrastructure and investment will shape costs and performance for years to come.

From cost pressure to strategic control

Energy remains one of the largest controllable costs across a school estate, but depending on your strategy, it can also one of the most unpredictable. At the same time, decarbonisation requirements are accelerating.

As a result, many Multi-Academy Trusts are beginning to move away from reactive decision-making towards more structured, long-term planning. Without that shift, the risks are clear: rising costs, inefficient investment and increasing difficulty in meeting DfE expectations.

A more strategic approach is not just about reducing consumption. It is about understanding how buildings perform, where investment will have the greatest impact, and how to balance short-term pressures with long-term goals.

What a long-term approach looks like

In practice, this means taking a more joined-up view of the estate.

Improving energy efficiency is often the starting point, e.g. addressing issues such as outdated lighting, poor controls and inefficient building fabric. Alongside this, trusts are planning for the transition to low-carbon technologies, ensuring their estates are ready before significant capital is committed.

Better use of data is also becoming critical. With clearer insights into energy use, trusts can make more informed decisions, prioritise investment and track progress over time.

Importantly, these decisions are increasingly being linked to financial strategy. Energy is no longer a standalone issue; it is part of a wider conversation about risk, affordability and long-term sustainability.

The reality for Multi-Academy Trusts

While the direction of travel is clear, delivery is not always straightforward.

Many trusts are managing diverse and ageing estates, often with limited internal resource. Procurement routes can be complex, and the pace of policy change adds further pressure. At the same time, there is an expectation to demonstrate value for money and measurable outcomes.

This is why the DfE strategy places such emphasis on taking a planned approach. It is not simply about meeting targets, it is about ensuring estates are fit for the future.

How West Mercia Energy supports the sector

West Mercia Energy has been supporting schools and trusts with energy procurement and management for over 35 years and now works with more than 2,200 organisations across the education sector. This experience provides a strong understanding of both the challenges and the opportunities facing MAT’s today.

Through our “DfE-approved” flexible gas and electricity frameworks, WME supports trusts in taking a longer-term, risk-managed approach to energy procurement, helping to reduce exposure to market volatility while ensuring full compliance with procurement regulations.

Beyond procurement, WME’s myWME platform gives schools greater visibility of their energy use, enabling them to identify inefficiencies, benchmark performance and monitor progress. This kind of insight is increasingly important as trusts look to evidence the impact of their estates strategy and to support future funding bids.

WME also supports delivery on the ground. Our in-house siteworks team ensure that the right metering and infrastructure are in place to enable projects such as solar and heat pump installations.

Alongside this, our DfE-approved “Education Decarbonisation Framework” provides access to specialist consultancy, helping trusts develop clear, practical plans aligned to national strategy.

Looking ahead

The 10-Year Estates Strategy presents a clear opportunity for Multi-Academy Trusts to take control of their energy future, reduce costs, improving resilience and meet sustainability goals.

The question for leadership teams is not whether change is coming, but how prepared they are to respond.

Those who take a proactive, strategic approach now will be better placed to protect budgets and deliver long-term value.

West Mercia Energy is well placed to support that journey, helping trusts turn ambition into measurable outcomes across their estates.

If you would like to discuss how WME could support your school or MAT with their long term energy procurement strategy, please get in touch today.