The Department of Education (DfE) has published the updated Trust Academy Handbook which is effective from 1st September 2025. The changes are designed to strengthen governance, financial oversight and strategic planning and are focused on the following areas:
- The implementation of the six core Digital and Technology Standards by 2030. These include actions to safeguard pupils and to protect against cyber attacks.
- Reference to the School Estate Management Standards which provide a framework for effective estates management, contributing to a safe environment. There is also greater reference within the standards to Sustainability and Climate Action Plans.
- Educational performance has been removed as a cause of a Notice to Improve.
- Reference to the new Procurement Act 2023 and best value, including guidance on the requirements of the Act.
- The prohibiting of paying cyber ransomware demands. Previously these could potentially be paid with approval from the DfE.
- Explicit reference to the ability of the DfE to recover funds in the event of a fraud or irregularity.
- The need for executive pay to be reasonable and defensible and confirmation that such decision could be challenged by the DfE.
- Clarification on the definition of repercussive payments – i.e. those payments which could cause additional costs to arise for other parts of government.
- The duties of the Accounting Officer have been clarified and include the responsibility for raising concerns in writing to the Board.
- Clarity over delegated limits in the Internal Scrutiny section of the Handbook. The £50million income threshold relates to the balance in the last audited accounts.
Actions: The Trust should review their policies and procedures to ensure they remain compliant with the changes.
The Audit and Risk Committee should consider whether any areas highlighted need to be reflected in the risk register and discuss whether there is any need for an audit relating to any of the changes (e.g. estates management; procurement).