1st Planner Ltd is a data-driven strategic planning consultancy helping education providers maximise the value of their school estates through intelligent planning, robust analysis, and targeted funding identification. We support Local Authorities, Dioceses, and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) to deliver high-quality school places while balancing capital and revenue pressures with clarity, efficiency, and measurable impact.

Our bespoke services combine population forecasting, SEND demand modelling, and estate and asset analytics to support better decision-making and long-term educational outcomes. From school sufficiency and efficiency assessments to SEND forecasting, commissioning strategy, and capital funding identification, we deliver tailored solutions that unlock capacity, reduce costs, and inform future-focused planning.

A core focus of our work is helping organisations respond to rising SEND demand. We provide robust, evidence-led insight to support SEND sufficiency planning, inclusive provision strategies, and commissioning decisions — enabling clients to understand where demand is growing, how it can be met within existing estates, and when targeted investment is genuinely required.

What We Do
📊 Education Estate Optimisation
🎯 Strategic Pupil Place & SEND Planning
🧩 SEND Forecasting & Commissioning Strategy
💷 Funding Identification
🧠 Custom Optimise analytic dashboards for live insight and defensible decision-making

Why 1st Planner?
✅ Data-first approach
✅ Tailored, client-focused delivery
✅ Proven UK education sector experience
✅ Innovative tools that turn complex data into practical action

We partner with organisations committed to creating sustainable, inclusive educational environments — delivering insight, impact, and value at every step.

Planning pressures, rising SEND demand, or commissioning challenges?
Talk to 1st Planner.
enquiries@1stplanner.com
01629 732 967

1st Planner Ltd

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