Managing a school estate effectively requires more than simply responding to problems as they arise. With increasing pressure on budgets, resources and operational teams, having access to the right information can help schools and trusts make faster, more informed decisions about where to invest, what to prioritise and how to plan for the future.
In Episode 5 of the SAAS Summer Sessions, we revisit a practical session from the Schools & Academies Show London 2026 exploring how data can be used to strengthen estate strategy and improve decision making.
Turning Estate Data Into Action
Schools and trusts collect huge amounts of information about their buildings, assets, maintenance requirements, expenditure and operations. But having access to data is only part of the challenge.
The real value comes from being able to bring that information together, understand what it is telling you and use it to inform decisions.
In this session, Vickie Keeling, Chief Operations Officer, and Matt Latos, Head of Digital, from St. Barts Multi-Academy Trust share how the trust developed a purpose-built dashboard to help transform the way it manages and uses estate data.
Their approach demonstrates how technology can help organisations move away from fragmented information and towards a clearer, more strategic view of their estate.
What Does the Session Explore?
The session looks at how schools and trusts can:
- Use a purpose-built dashboard to inform, report and utilise estate data.
- Streamline data collection and management to support faster decision making.
- Use data to make more informed expenditure and procurement decisions.
- Build organisational capability through better use of data.
- Strengthen estate strategy by turning information into actionable insight.
For estates and operations teams, this offers a useful reminder that data isn't simply something to collect and report. When used effectively, it can become a powerful tool for planning, prioritisation and long-term strategy.
Why Data Matters for Estate Management
With schools and trusts facing increasingly complex estates and competing demands on their budgets, making decisions based on reliable, accessible information is becoming more important.
A data-led approach can help organisations identify priorities more clearly, understand where resources are being used and make better-informed choices about future investment.
It can also help bring different teams together around a shared understanding of the estate, creating greater consistency and transparency across the organisation.
Ultimately, the goal isn't to collect more data for the sake of it. It's about making sure the information you already have can help you make better decisions.
Watch Episode 5
Hear directly from Vickie Keeling and Matt Latos as they share how St. Barts Multi-Academy Trust is using data and technology to enhance its estate strategy and practice.
.gif?width=800&height=450&name=SAAS%20-%20London%202026%20-%206%20Week%20Campaign%20-%20Cards%20(10).gif)
Continue the Conversation in Birmingham
If this session has given you ideas for strengthening your own approach to estate management, data or resource planning, there will be plenty more to explore at the Schools & Academies Show Birmingham.
Taking place on 18-19 November 2026 at the NEC Birmingham, the show brings together 300+ speakers, 50+ hours of CPD and 250+ education suppliers, covering the challenges and opportunities facing schools and trusts today.
Join fellow education, estates, operations and finance professionals for two days of practical insight, new ideas and valuable connections.
👉 Register free for the Schools & Academies Show Birmingham 2026 and discover what's waiting for you this November.
