New Academy Trust Handbook for 2024

Key changes from the 2023 edition of the Academy Trust Handbook are as follows –

• Finance leasing – confirmation that from 1 September 2024 academy trusts are permitted to take out finance leases, so long as the asset type appears on the DfE’s approved list. Trusts should already have been aware of this change as the details were published by ESFA back in March.

• Internal scrutiny – trusts with revenue income of over £50 million must now either have an in-house internal auditor or use a bought-in internal audit service (ie they may no longer use a non-employed trustee or a CFO of another trust to provide this service).

• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice scheme – clarification that ESFA approval is required if trusts are considering this scheme.

• Estates management – confirmation that a Notice to Improve can be issued if trustees and trust management fail to manage the school estate and maintain it in a safe working condition

• Digital and technology standards – a recommendation that trusts refer to the DfE’s digital and technology standards in order to make informed decisions about technology.