Lease finance for gyms for schools
Lease finance for nursery school buildings
Power Purchase Agreements for solar projects, including solar car parks
Power Purchase Agreements for Battery Energy Storage
Academy schools (or trusts) can pursue lease finance to fund the construction of a new nursery or fitness centre, provided it aligns with the trust’s financial strategy, delivers value for money, and complies with Department for Education (DfE) regulations.
Academy trusts have greater flexibility in capital funding compared to maintained schools, but building projects involving school land require specific approvals.
Lease finance – typically operating or finance leases – is a common, DfE-endorsed option for key resources such as sports and fitness facilities. It allows schools to spread costs without large upfront payments.
Academy trusts can use leases for new builds or refurbishments of facilities such as gyms, multi-use games areas (MUGAs), or nursery blocks. These are often treated as "equipment" or asset finance but can extend to construction via specialist providers.
These options are supported by DfE guidance, which encourages leasing to manage cashflow for equipment and assets (updated January 2025).
Specialist firms like Solev Energy Group (SEG) partner with lenders (e.g., Gravis Capital) to handle design, planning, construction, and finance in one integrated package.
Open to academy trusts as long as the project supports educational outcomes (e.g., student wellbeing via fitness). Your trust must demonstrate value for money, per the Academy Trust Handbook (2025 edition). Operating leases are simpler for academies, as they are not classed as “borrowing.” Finance leases may need SSE consent if over certain thresholds (check your funding agreement).
Combine with DfE grants such as School Condition Allocations (SCA) for maintenance or Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) bids for refurbishments – these prioritise condition over new builds. Lease finance can act as a supplement.
Under FRS 102 (used by academies), classify as operating (shorter term, lessor retains risks) or finance (transfers risks to you). Compare total costs vs. buying outright.
Since a nursery or gym is a new build, it likely involves school land (e.g., change of use or appropriation). Submit a proposal via DfE channels (or notification if covered by a General Consent Order). This assesses impact on the school and requires evidence of need.
Review your trust’s 5-year estate strategy. Get quotes for the fitness centre (e.g., via GOV.UK’s school buildings framework for procurement).
If on school land, submit via the DfE portal.
Once approved, payments start (with a 3-month deferral if needed). The provider manages construction.
Contact specialists like SEG for a free consultation. We will tailor quotes and handle credit checks (subject to status).
Track progress through your trust’s financial reporting; upgrades or early settlements can be arranged if required.
Payments are predictable but long-term – model them against your General Annual Grant (GAG).
Academies often reclaim VAT on leases, improving affordability.
If leasing doesn’t fit, explore DfE’s Basic Need Funding for expansions or private loans (with consent).
Download DfE’s Leasing Guide (January 2025 update) and consult your trust’s finance lead or the ESFA helpline (0370 000 2288). For sports-specific funding, Sport England may offer grants to pair with lease finance.
This approach has already helped schools fund facilities and pitches via leases, generating revenue — e.g., rent from Lifestyle Fitness or Busy Bees — to cover costs.
SolarCatcher installs the units - the project - at zero cost to the customer
Customer agrees to buy the energy it generates via 25 year PPA at lower price
Maintenance delivered by SolarCatcher on behalf of client
SolarCatcher manages EV charging & end customer service
Client receives margin share from EV charging activity
Client purchases the scheme and owns the assets outright.
SolarCatcher will provide an Operations & Maintenance Agreement to manage the equipment and the EV billing.
Affordable & efficient for smaller communities.
Regular street cleaning (twice a week)
Public trash bin emptying
Sidewalk and pedestrian area sweeping
Seasonal leaf and snow removal (basic)
Monthly report on completed services
Ideal for mid-sized and urban areas.
Everything in the Basic Plan, plus:
Weekly facade and bus stop cleaning
Waste disposal from public areas
Seasonal deep cleaning (spring/autumn)
Emergency cleanup service (up to 3 times a year)
Best for large-scale urban maintenance needs.
Everything in the Standard Plan, plus:
Daily city square and park maintenance
Graffiti and vandalism removal
Drainage and road maintenance
Unlimited emergency cleanup requests
Dedicated account manager
The SolarCatcher Fund was launched in July 2023 in association with Gravis Capital.
London-based Gravis Capital Management is investing in a UK electric vehicle charging company.
Gravis is using its infrastructure investment fund to back SolarCatcher — an innovative UK-based company developed by Solev Energy Group, specialising in solar-powered EV charging canopies collocated with electric vehicle chargers.
When the solar canopy is not being used to charge vehicles, the electricity generated can instead be used to power nearby buildings.
This multi-million-pound debt transaction will see Gravis fund the majority of construction costs for SolarCatcher’s first wave of projects at local education authority sites across the UK.
Legal advisors: Burges Salmon.
London-listed Gravis has agreed to finance a new project to build solar-powered EV charging sites at schools and academies across the UK.
Burges Salmon, which advised on the transaction (June 30, 2023), confirmed that Gravis will invest an undisclosed amount via its infrastructure investment fund in UK-based developer SolarCatcher.
The project involves building solar canopies that house EV charging stations in school car parks and across the public estate. When the solar panels are not being used to charge vehicles, the electricity generated can instead power adjacent buildings.
Gravis will fund most of the construction costs, with revenues supported by long-term, government-backed contracts.
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