Supporting Long-Term Educational Environments Through Collaborative Estate Planning
As Nova Education Trust continues to grow and evolve, so too does the importance of creating learning environments that are safe, sustainable and fit for the future. Recognising the need to move beyond reactive maintenance and short-term decision making, the Trust has adopted a more strategic approach to estate planning in partnership with Make Consulting.
Through a collaborative and tailored support model, Make has worked alongside Nova to help develop long-term capital planning strategies that improve estate resilience, prioritise investment and support better educational environments across the Trust.
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Words from Nova
“Make is absolutely vital to achieving our goals” says Connor. “They are instrumental in helping us manage our condition-led and life-expired assets, allowing us to prioritise our works effectively.
Central to this strategic success is the partnership with Make Consulting. By combining Make’s expert condition surveys with Department for Education (DfE) CDC Data, the Trust has built a technical bedrock for its five-year plan. Acting as an extension of the central team, Make helps manage contractor relationships directly, ensuring every project remains on programme.
Crucially, Make Consulting has built strong, direct relationships with Nova’s school leaders. “If a contractor hasn’t communicated properly or if an issue arises on-site – such as a leak during a roofing project – our schools know they can contact Make immediately, and they will be there to manage the impact. Having Make as our project and building consultancy advisors provides us with the professional capacity we need. They are exceptionally disciplined at keeping us on top of delivery and ensuring we meet our deadlines”.
A Tailored Approach Built Around the Trust
At the heart of the partnership is Make Consulting’s dedicated in-house education expertise and director-led approach. By taking time to understand Nova’s individual requirements, ambitions and operational pressures, Make has been able to provide a support package tailored specifically to the Trust’s estate needs.
This approach combines strategic oversight with hands-on technical delivery, ensuring the right level of expertise is available depending on the size and complexity of projects being undertaken.
Importantly, the relationship is built on collaboration. Make recognises that successful estate management is a collective effort, where every stakeholder plays an important role regardless of title or contractual position. By fostering strong communication and shared ownership, projects and estate priorities can be delivered efficiently and effectively.
Delivering Meaningful Improvements Across the Estate
The partnership has already supported a number of transformational projects across Nova Education Trust schools, helping modernise facilities and improve educational environments for pupils and staff.
At The Garibaldi School, Make supported the refurbishment and transformation of the Sixth Form Block, creating a modern and professional learning environment designed to better support students as they prepare for higher education and future careers. Through the careful remodelling and refurbishment of the existing building, the project delivered bright, contemporary and collaborative spaces that reflect the school’s ambitions for its Sixth Form provision.
Similarly, refurbishment works at Westdale Junior School focused on improving internal learning environments and enhancing the functionality of key pupil spaces. By carefully considering layout, specification and long-term usability, the project helped create a more modern, inclusive and adaptable environment better suited to the day-to-day needs of pupils and staff.
These projects reflect Nova’s wider ambition to invest strategically across its estate while ensuring each improvement delivers meaningful long-term value for schools and communities alike.
From Reactive Maintenance to Strategic Investment
While condition surveys and project management form an important foundation of estate support, the partnership with Nova extends far beyond this.
Make supports the Trust with critical thinking, long-term planning and strategic decision-making, helping ensure investments are prioritised where they will deliver the greatest operational and educational benefit.
This includes supporting Nova with:
- Long-term capital expenditure planning
- Planned maintenance strategies
- Estate prioritisation and lifecycle planning
- Building condition improvement programmes
- Compliance and legislative guidance
- Infrastructure renewal planning
- Master planning and space utilisation reviews
- Funding and procurement support
By taking a proactive rather than reactive approach, Nova is creating greater confidence around future investment decisions while improving the quality and resilience of its school environments.
Sharing Knowledge Across the Education Sector
A key part of Make’s support model is encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing across the education sector.
Through working groups, strategic discussions and cross-trust collaboration, Make helps share best practice, lessons learned and innovative approaches gathered from supporting a number of multi-academy trusts nationwide.
This broader experience allows Make to challenge thinking constructively, helping clients make informed and robust estate decisions based on practical sector insight and proven delivery experience.
Adding Value Beyond Projects
The partnership also focuses heavily on long-term capability building within the Trust itself.
Alongside technical consultancy and project delivery, Make provides additional value through CPDs, professional development support and ongoing strategic guidance. The objective is not simply to become a consultancy the Trust depends on, but a trusted partner the Trust chooses to continue working with because of the value delivered over time.
This long-standing approach has helped build strong relationships and continuity across projects, planning and estate management activities.
Delivering Sustainable Learning Environments
With increasing pressures facing school estates nationally, including aging infrastructure, energy efficiency demands and changing operational needs, Nova’s commitment to strategic estate planning demonstrates a clear long-term vision.
Make continues to support the Trust in identifying the right solutions rather than the easiest ones, balancing educational priorities, compliance requirements, budget considerations and future sustainability goals.
Through careful planning, accurate cost advice and a focus on best use of existing assets, the partnership is helping ensure Nova’s schools remain safe, warm, adaptable and inspiring environments for pupils and staff alike.
Looking Ahead
As Nova Education Trust continues its journey, the partnership with Make Consulting remains focused on delivering lasting value through collaboration, strategic thinking and proactive estate stewardship.
By combining educational sector expertise with long-term planning and technical excellence, Make is proud to support Nova in creating learning environments that not only meet today’s needs, but are prepared for the future.