Our team exhibited at the 2026 AGBIS (Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools) Annual Conference, held at the QEII Centre on 19th March 2026. The conference theme, “Leading in a New Era,” highlighted a growing reality for independent schools – governance and property strategy are now more closely connected than ever before.
Rethinking the role of school estates
The conference focused on how governors must respond to mounting pressures, including topics such as regulatory change, financial constraints, and evolving expectations around safeguarding and sustainability. While much of the agenda centred on leadership and oversight, the exhibition demonstrated that the physical estate of a school is no longer just an operational concern, but a strategic asset requiring expert guidance. This is precisely where our team focus our expertise; as a specialist education and commercial property agency with a strong track record in the sector, we work with schools on acquisitions, disposals, lease advisory, and estate optimisation so we know property decisions aren’t just transactional, they play a fundamental role in a school’s long-term resilience. Independent schools are increasingly navigating complex property challenges. Some are expanding to meet demand or diversify provision, while others are reassessing underused assets in response to financial pressures, including policy changes such as VAT on fees. In both cases, governors are expected to make informed, strategic decisions that balance educational vision with financial sustainability.
Property in a changing school environment
On the day, our conversations with various conference delegates reflected this shift. Our discussions centred on how governing bodies can better align estate strategy with broader school objectives – whether that means unlocking capital from surplus land, securing new sites for growth, or renegotiating leases to improve cost efficiency. This aligns closely with AGBIS’s core purpose of supporting governors in providing effective oversight and ensuring their schools are well-run, forward-looking, and financially sound. Property, in this context, becomes a governance issue, not just a facilities matter. In our experience, decisions made about land and buildings can influence everything from pupil numbers and curriculum delivery to risk exposure and long-term viability. We came away feeling less like we were there as a service provider and more that we can be part of the wider conversation around governance.
Estate strategy as a core governance priority
Our work naturally includes all elements of the transaction including finance, operations and long-term vision in helping schools think through how their estates support what they’re trying to achieve, while also protecting underlying value. In a sector facing growing scrutiny and change, the connection between governance and estate strategy has never been more important. Governors are being pushed to think more commercially, take a longer-term view, and make decisions with a clear strategic focus.
Access to advisers who understand both the property market and the realities of independent education is becoming essential. What stood out is how closely this ties to the wider role of governance. Decisions about a school’s estate on things like how it’s used, developed, or invested in, are now a core part of strategic oversight, not just an operational matter.
If you’re thinking about how your estate supports your wider plans, feel free to get in touch.