The 2020/21 EBDOG National Benchmarking study has now been published – a copy of the latest report is available at: F07125-National School Delivery Cost Benchmarking – Primary, Secondary & SEN Schools – May 2021 (hants.gov.uk)

Project data for the 2021/22 study is now open – a copy of the template return can be downloaded here – all LAs are asked to respond by 17th September 2021

The benchmarking study continues to analyse the capital cost of building new school places across the country and is the largest national study of its kind comparing the like for like cost of school buildings delivered by Local Authorities and the DfE. Projects include school extensions, new schools, free schools and other DfE led schemes. In this study:

• Participating LAs has increased from 140 in 2019 study to 150
• School sample size has increased from 819 to 1007 since the last report – an increase of over 20%
• The total value of schemes in the report is now £5.57bn up from £4.96bn in the last
  report

The support of individual LAs and the DfE is essential to the value and credibility of this exercise providing the actual cost of school projects including cost per place, gross and net costs. The benchmarking work has covered every region of England and is a consistent data set that can be used in developer negotiations. The study has been welcomed and supported by the Cabinet Office and the Department for Education and is also used by the DfE to help negotiate future education capital settlements with Treasury. It is important that we continue this trend of publishing both local and central government costs in a coherent and standardised manner.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the later timing of this year’s annual report, we are now seeking project data for the 2021/22 study which will cover primary, secondary and SEN school costs. The data you supply will be treated confidentially and you will receive a copy of the next iteration of the report when it is updated and published. No authority will be associated to any individual costs, as only average sample costs are published.

Returns are requested by Friday 17 September 2021, to Michael.Raven@eastriding.gov.uk or dimitri.eleftheriou@hants.gov.uk. Please contact Dimitri should you have any queries or need an extension of time. We hope all Local Authorities  will continue to support this study and trust you find the latest publication of value.