Appetite accelerates for SEND school properties as demand for services continues, says Christie & Co
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has launched its Business Outlook 2026 report, which reflects on the themes, activity and challenges of 2025 and forecasts what 2026 might bring across the sectors in which Christie & Co operates, including the SEND schools sector.
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Throughout 2025, demand from buyers for SEND schools continued to outstrip supply, says Christie & Co, as it highlights that the UK saw a further 10.8 per cent increase in the number of children with ECHPs in January 2025, taking the total to circa 638,000. Demand was particularly strong for operational SEND and SEHM schools and leasehold properties that are capable of creating new provision to meet the increasing demand for their services. The company doesn’t anticipate any slowdown of this appetite in the short to medium term.
As the number of ECHPs increases, so do the associated costs of tailored educational support. Against a backdrop of government funding facing increased pressures, SEND featured more in the national press and within community conversations than ever before, as a rising number of parents experience the difficulties of ensuring their child’s needs are appropriately met.
MARKET PREDICTIONS
In 2026, Christie & Co also expects to see:
- Major reforms via the publication of the Schools White Paper in early 2026
- Continued interest from buyers for freehold and leasehold SEND schools, alternative provision, therapeutic education services, and further education for students aged 19 to 25
- An ongoing demand for properties that offer development potential for SEND use
- Buyers are likely to become increasingly diligent in their competitive environment and fee sensitivity analysis when acquiring both operational entities and SEND school development sites
Molly James, Business Agent – Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, comments, “The continued rise in demand for SEND provision highlights the increasing need for investment and innovation in the sector. We anticipate strong investor appetite to persist throughout 2026, particularly for properties with development potential, as the market responds to these pressing challenges.”
To read the full ‘Business Outlook 2026’ report, visit: https://www.christie.com/news-resources/business-outlook-2026/childcare/education/
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