2021 Diocesan Boards of Education Measure
All church schools are bound by the 2021 measure which provides the statutory framework for church schools. For this reason all church schools must seek advice from their Diocesan Board of Education on a variety of matters including building works.
Diocesan schools currently fall into three categories: Academies, Voluntary Controlled and Voluntary Aided Schools. These have very distinct differences relating to their buildings but one commonality in regard to the land and buildings. The land and buildings are owned by the diocese, generally under ancient trust deeds that have as the original Trustees, the Vicar and Church Wardens (although for many this is now the Diocesan Boards of Finance). There are some variations, however it is helpful to generalise at the same time as recognising the need to fully investigate the individual sites when required.
Land and buildings are held by Diocese and playing fields retained by the Local Authority (LA) on a 125 year Lease.
Land and buildings held by Diocese and playing fields by the LA. In 1944, VC Schools came under the LA and therefore the LA is responsible for maintenance of the buildings.
Land and buildings held by Diocese and playing fields by the LA. They remain as voluntary aided and funded schools supported by their local parish and are more independently funded. This gives the school access to different capital funding streams but also liabilities and obligations, primarily the requirement to pay governors 10% on all capital funded projects including Devolved Formula Capital and School Condition Allocations (SCA – replaced previous scheme called LCVAP). They also, unlike LA, are required to pay VAT.
The Dioceses’ role is to assist schools in safeguarding their assets; both the value of the buildings and land. Consequently, any alterations, extensions, expansions, and changes to the building generally require the permission of the Diocese. The Diocese assists Voluntary Aided Schools in particular, in advising on building development and capital asset planning.
Voluntary Aided schools are more independently funded. This gives the school access to different capital funding streams for buildings improvement or extension work but also liabilities and obligations, primarily the requirement to pay 10% on all capital funded projects including Devolved Formula Capital and the School Condition Allocations, SCA (previously LCVAP). They also, unlike the LA, are required to pay VAT.
Below you find documents for Voluntary Aided School to use when seeking permission and funding from the diocese for building work together with other useful documents:
SCA Project Application Form 2023 – 2024 (Previously known as LCVAP)
Although Voluntary Controlled schools are maintained by the Local Authority the land on which they are built is often owned by a trust or the Diocese.
The diocese should be consulted whenever any building work or grounds developments are being considered.
This will ensure there are no delays before work commences.
