The UK Department for Education (DfE) has opened early engagement with the market ahead of a potential national programme aimed at strengthening flood resilience across school buildings, delivered through its Schools Water Strategy (SWS).
The department seeks suppliers’ interest in advance of a possible procurement for Schools Property Flood Resilience: Regional Providers (Design and Build), which would operate between 2026 and 2030. The programme carries an indicative value of £57 million.
Delivery is expected to cover design-and-build activity across grey infrastructure, green (nature-based) interventions and blue property flood resilience solutions
The Schools Water Strategy is positioned as an “invest to save” initiative, with the objective of limiting both the frequency and consequences of flooding at school sites. The forthcoming procurement would support a wider rollout of Property Flood Resilience (PFR) measures, concentrating on schools exposed to elevated flood risk, those covered by the Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA), and locations that have experienced repeated flood-related disruption.
As set out in the notice, delivery is expected to cover design-and-build activity across grey infrastructure, green (nature-based) interventions and blue property flood resilience solutions. Installation work is likely to be scheduled primarily during school summer holiday periods, depending on site access and the scope of individual schemes.
The DfE’s Schools Water Strategy team is seeking feedback from organisations active in specialist flood resilience and construction delivery markets. An online engagement session scheduled for 4 February 2026 will outline the anticipated scope and invite comment on the department’s proposed approach.
The session will address matters such as assurance processes, delivery expectations, commercial arrangements and social value considerations, alongside discussion of potential constraints affecting supply capacity. Suppliers with experience in flood resilience design, construction, installation and project management within educational settings are encouraged to take part, including small and medium-sized enterprises.
Any subsequent procurement activity will be shaped by the outcome of this engagement, with a provisional tender publication date of 27 February 2026.
