RFAs: Sustainable Drainage Systems in Schools Grant (United Kingdom)

The Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in Schools Grant Scheme provides funding to eligible organisations in England to design and install sustainable drainage features that reduce surface water flood risk on school estates. Led by the Department for Education (DfE) through the Schools Water Strategy, the programme can fund up to 50% of eligible SuDS project costs, with applicants required to provide at least 50% match funding.

Sustainable Drainage Systems in Schools Grant Scheme – Overview

The SuDS in Schools Grant Scheme is part of the Department for Education’s wider Schools Water Strategy and uses an invest-to-save approach to improve water management and climate resilience across school estates.

The programme recognises that surface water flooding can damage school property, disrupt education, place pressure on sewer systems, and create wider environmental risks.

By introducing Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), schools can manage rainfall closer to where it falls rather than allowing large volumes of water to enter drainage and sewer networks.

What Are Sustainable Drainage Systems?

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are drainage features designed to manage rainwater in a more natural and sustainable way.

Instead of rapidly directing rainfall into conventional drainage systems, SuDS can:

• Capture rainwater.
• Slow down water flows.
• Temporarily store excess water.
• Encourage infiltration into the ground.
• Filter pollutants.
• Reduce pressure on sewer networks.
• Create habitats for plants and wildlife.

SuDS can range from relatively small interventions to larger landscape-based schemes.

What Does the Grant Support?

The grant supports the design and installation of SuDS features on school estates in England.

Examples of eligible SuDS interventions include:

• Rainwater planters.
• Raingardens.
• Bioretention tree pits.
• Detention basins.
• Other sustainable drainage features designed to manage surface water.

Projects can be stand-alone SuDS schemes or form part of a larger programme of works.

However, DfE funding will only cover the SuDS-related elements of a wider project.

Funding Available

The Department for Education can provide funding for up to 50% of total eligible SuDS project costs.

Applicants must provide:

• At least 50% match funding toward the total SuDS project costs.
• The remaining project contribution from eligible sources.

Funding is subject to available programme budgets and may be withdrawn at any stage before the grant agreement is formally signed.

Key Objectives of the Programme

The SuDS in Schools Grant Scheme has environmental, educational, social, and climate-resilience objectives.

Funded projects are expected to contribute to one or more of the following outcomes:

• Reduce surface water flood risk.
• Reduce the volume of water entering sewer systems.
• Improve biodiversity.
• Increase climate resilience.
• Reduce the urban heat island effect.
• Improve water quality.
• Increase access to green space.
• Support physical and mental health.
• Improve understanding of sustainable water management.
• Provide educational opportunities for pupils and communities.

Every funded project must also deliver an educational session about the installed SuDS features.

Who Is Eligible?

The programme is open to eligible organisations involved in managing, supporting, or improving school estates in England.

Eligible applicants include:

• Lead Local Flood Authorities.
• Water companies.
• Non-profit organisations.
• State-funded nursery schools.
• State-funded primary schools.
• State-funded secondary schools.
• Alternative provision settings.
• Voluntary aided schools.

Applicants should ensure that their organisation and proposed school project meet all mandatory eligibility requirements before submitting an application.

School Eligibility Requirements

The proposed project must relate to an eligible school estate in England.

Schools that are scheduled for rebuilding within the next three to five years are not eligible for the programme.

This restriction helps ensure that grant-funded SuDS infrastructure provides meaningful and lasting benefits rather than being affected by planned major redevelopment.

Project Duration

Funded projects must be completed within three financial years.

Applicants should therefore develop a realistic implementation timetable covering:

• Project design.
• Site preparation.
• SuDS installation.
• Completion.
• Educational activities.
• Monitoring and reporting.

Partnership Working

The programme encourages collaboration between organisations involved in water management, education, and community development.

Potential partnerships can include:

• Schools and local authorities.
• Lead Local Flood Authorities and schools.
• Water companies and educational institutions.
• Non-profit organisations and schools.
• Local stakeholders working on flood resilience and environmental improvement.

Partnership approaches can help combine technical expertise, funding, community engagement, and educational resources.

How the SuDS Projects Can Benefit Schools

Installing sustainable drainage can provide benefits beyond flood prevention.

Flood Risk Reduction

SuDS can slow and temporarily store rainfall, helping reduce the volume and speed of surface water reaching drainage systems.

Biodiversity

Raingardens, planting areas, tree pits, and other green SuDS features can provide habitats and improve biodiversity around school sites.

Climate Resilience

SuDS can help schools adapt to increasingly challenging rainfall and environmental conditions.

Water Quality

Vegetated and engineered SuDS features can help remove pollutants from surface water before it enters watercourses or drainage systems.

Education

SuDS installations can become outdoor learning resources, allowing pupils to understand:

• Rainfall and the water cycle.
• Flood risk.
• Biodiversity.
• Climate change.
• Water conservation.
• Sustainable urban drainage.

How to Apply

The application process involves several stages, so applicants should prepare their evidence and project information carefully.

Step 1: Identify the Flood Risk

Explain the surface water problem affecting the school or school estate.

Applicants should provide evidence such as:

• Previous flooding.
• Known surface water risks.
• Drainage problems.
• Local flood-risk information.
• Impacts on school operations or facilities.

Step 2: Develop the SuDS Proposal

Identify the appropriate SuDS intervention for the site.

Explain:

• What will be installed.
• Where it will be installed.
• How it will manage rainfall.
• Why the proposed solution is suitable.
• How the project will reduce surface water risk.

Step 3: Demonstrate Environmental Benefits

Explain the wider environmental outcomes of the project.

These may include:

• Biodiversity improvements.
• New or enhanced greenspace.
• Reduced urban heat.
• Better water quality.
• Increased climate resilience.

Step 4: Prepare the Project Budget

Calculate the total cost of the SuDS project and identify the amount requested from DfE.

Remember that the DfE contribution can cover up to 50%, meaning applicants must demonstrate their ability to provide the required match funding.

Step 5: Provide Supporting Evidence

Applicants should submit all evidence required by the application process.

Evidence should clearly support the project’s need, feasibility, environmental benefits, costs, and expected outcomes.

Step 6: Include the Educational Component

Every proposed project must include an educational session about the installed SuDS features.

Explain how pupils or the wider school community will learn about the drainage system and sustainable water management.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Applications will undergo a structured assessment process, including mandatory eligibility checks and assessment against the programme’s award criteria.

Applicants should ensure that all required supporting evidence is submitted before the deadline.

How Applications Are Assessed

Applications are assessed through several stages.

The process includes:

1. Initial sift: Applications are checked against mandatory selection criteria.
2. Discretionary exclusion check: Applications may be reviewed for relevant exclusion considerations.
3. Award assessment: Eligible applications are assessed against the programme’s award criteria.
4. Moderation: Assessments are reviewed and moderated.
5. Outcome notification: Applicants are informed of the result.

Key Assessment Criteria

Applications may be assessed on factors including:

• Evidence of flood history.
• Surface water flood risk.
• Environmental benefits.
• Project costs and value for money.
• Greenspace inequality.
• Current stage of project development.
• Number of schools benefiting.
• Overall project impact.

Applicants should therefore demonstrate both a clear need for the project and measurable benefits from the proposed SuDS intervention.

Important Grant Conditions

Successful applicants must agree to the programme’s standard requirements.

These include:

• Standard Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• DfE grant terms and conditions.
• Payment in arrears.
• Completion within the approved project timeframe.
• Delivery of the required educational session.
• Provision of relevant monitoring and reporting information.

Applicants should make sure they have sufficient financial capacity to manage payment in arrears.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should carefully check their proposals before submission.

• Requesting funding for non-SuDS work: DfE funding is limited to SuDS-related components.
• Failing to provide 50% match funding: The grant can cover up to 50% of eligible costs.
• Ignoring flood evidence: Explain the specific surface water risk affecting the school.
• Weak environmental justification: Clearly identify biodiversity, water-quality, climate, or greenspace benefits.
• Leaving out the educational session: Every project must include an educational session about the installed SuDS.
• Ignoring the rebuilding restriction: Schools scheduled for rebuilding within three to five years are not eligible.
• Underestimating payment-in-arrears requirements: Applicants should have sufficient resources to manage project expenditure before reimbursement.
• Submitting incomplete evidence: All required supporting documents and evidence must be provided by the deadline.

Why It Matters

The SuDS in Schools Grant Scheme offers an opportunity to combine flood-risk management, climate adaptation, environmental improvement, and education within school estates.

Well-designed SuDS projects can help schools reduce their exposure to surface water flooding while creating greener and more educational outdoor environments.

The programme can also demonstrate practical approaches to sustainable water management that pupils, staff, families, and local communities can understand and replicate.

FAQ

What is the Sustainable Drainage Systems in Schools Grant Scheme?

It is a Department for Education funding programme supporting the design and installation of sustainable drainage systems in eligible schools and school estates in England to reduce surface water flood risk and improve environmental resilience.

How much funding can applicants receive?

The Department for Education can fund up to 50% of eligible SuDS project costs. Applicants must provide at least 50% match funding.

What types of SuDS can the grant support?

Examples include rainwater planters, raingardens, detention basins, and bioretention tree pits. Other SuDS features may also be eligible where they meet the programme requirements.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include Lead Local Flood Authorities, water companies, non-profit organisations, state-funded schools, alternative provision settings, and voluntary aided schools in England.

Can the grant pay for an entire school construction project?

No. Where SuDS are part of a larger programme of works, DfE funding will only cover the SuDS-related components of the project.

Are schools scheduled for rebuilding eligible?

No. Schools scheduled for rebuilding within the next three to five years are not eligible for the programme.

What educational activity is required?

Every funded project must deliver an educational session about the installed SuDS features as part of its project outputs.

Conclusion

The Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in Schools Grant Scheme provides an opportunity for eligible organisations in England to invest in practical flood-resilience and sustainable water-management infrastructure within school estates. With DfE funding available for up to 50% of eligible SuDS costs, successful projects can reduce surface water flood risk while delivering wider benefits for biodiversity, water quality, climate resilience, greenspace, health, and environmental education. Applicants should build a strong evidence-based case around flood risk, environmental impact, value for money, match funding, and educational benefits to maximise the strength of their proposal.