Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in Schools Grant Scheme

The Department for Education (DfE) is looking to work with delivery providers who will successfully project manage the design and installation of SuDS features on school sites to reduce the risk of surface water flooding to the school estate, these solutions may also reduce the strain on local drainage networks. The DfE will consider grant funding contributions towards all scales of SuDS Projects, from small rainwater downpipe planters to schemes with multiple types of SuDS solution including but not limited to detention basins, raingardens and bioretention tree pits. As part of the application you are asked to provide an indicative estimate of the size of your project as defined below: • Small schemes e.g. a range of small, medium and large downpipe planters. • Medium schemes e.g. a range of planters, small sized rain gardens and bioretention tree pits. • Large schemes e.g. a range planters, bioretention tree pits, swales/detention basin and a range of medium to large rain gardens. For full category details, please refer to Section A of the Supporting Information. The examples above are indicative rather than exhaustive and illustrate the types of schemes eligible for this grant. Designs do not need to include all measures listed within a category and should instead incorporate the most appropriate solutions to meet the specific needs of the site. As part of the benefit scoring (conducted by the DfE) this categorisation is used to determine the environmental benefits associated with a scheme. The DfE are welcoming applications from delivery providers either as a stand-alone SuDS project or as part of a wider set of works. Please note, the DfE will only contribute to the funding of the SuDS related aspect of the project. As the schemes can be complex to manage in terms of technicality and reporting requirements (Please refer to the KPI’s stated in Section C in the Supporting Information), individual schools that are considering submitting a standalone bid are encouraged to speak with their Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), local water company or relevant non-profit organisation to establish if they are submitting a larger bid and seek to join their bid. As part of the application applicants will be required to provide: • Contact details and general information about your organisation • An outline programme of work; • Delivery timeframe, • project stage, • total project cost and funding sought from the DfE excluding VAT • scheme size and • the level of protection the scheme will be designed to • Historical flood history (if relevant) • Confirmation of whether your school/organisation can or cannot recover VAT for the proposed SuDS works, in line with Clause 12 of the DfE Grant Funding Agreement Terms and Conditions (applicable to Not-for-Profit organisations only) The DfE requires applicants to submit a list of schools they are planning to install SuDS features in. This list must include the school(s) • URN. • Name, and • Postcode. The above information for each school can be found on Get Information About Schools . Funding for the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in schools Grant Scheme is subject to budget constraints. DfE reserves the right to terminate the application process at any stage prior to grant signature. The Schools Water Strategy team will endeavour to notify applicants as soon as possible if their application is withdrawn. Application Process There are 7 stages involved in the application process. They are as follows: • Initial Sift: SuDS applications will first be reviewed against the mandatory selection criteria. • Discretionary Exclusion Check: If an application meets the mandatory selection criteria, it will then be assessed against the discretionary exclusion questions. • Award Criteria Assessment: Applications that pass both the mandatory and discretionary stages will proceed to be assessed against the award criteria. • Moderation: Applications that progress to the award criteria stage will be moderated to ensure consistency and fairness. • Minimum Score Threshold: Applicants must meet a 20% minimum award score threshold. At the discretion of the Department for Education (DfE), those scoring below this threshold may not be awarded funding. (The final number of grants awarded are budget dependent, and therefore the advertised £5m total pot size is an estimated cost that is subject to change. Scoring above the minimum threshold does not guarantee grant funding) • Outcome Notification: Following moderation, applicants will be notified of the outcome. Successful applicants will be informed of the funding awarded. • Grant Agreement: Draft grant agreements will be shared with successful applicants. Please note that this may require additional information, which must be provided in a timely manner. Please see the criteria definitions below: Mandatory Selection Criteria • The applicant must be within the scope of eligible delivery providers for the SuDS in school project (as listed under th

The Department for Education (DfE) SuDS in schools project is an invest to save initiative, aimed at installing SuDS features in the school estate to help mitigate the risk of surface water flooding. You can apply for the SuDS in Schools grant funding if you are*: • A Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). • A Water Company. • A Non-Profit Organisation. • A State Funded School (Nursery, Primary, Secondary and Alternative Provisions) in England. • A Voluntary Aided School in England. * All eligible delivery providers and project contributors will be subject to DfE’s due diligence checks prior to acceptance.

Please complete the accompanying Department for Education SuDS in Schools Grant Funding Application for the 27/28 Financial Year (FY) form . Further information and prompts have been provided for each question. Some sections will require accompanying text to support your response and have stated word limits. Please ensure that you adhere to these, as your response beyond the word limit may not be considered. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they understand the application process. If any information is unclear or if an applicant considers that there is insufficient information or they have issues accessing the form, please contact SuDS.mailbox@education.gov.uk .