New Academy Trust Handbook for 2026

Key changes from the 2025 edition of the Academy Trust Handbook are as follows – 

• A new section explaining trusts’ responsibilities for inclusion and collaboration, including their strategic approach, oversight and partnership with other agencies

• A requirement for larger trusts recruiting a CFO on or after 1 September 2027 to recruit a qualified accountant at ICAEW/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA level, with DfE needing to be informed if a larger trust intends to appoint a person who is not a qualified accountant

• A new requirement that accounting officers must notify the trust board where it is identified that the trust’s ability to operate as a going concern is at risk

• Trusts must now consider DfE opportunities in their purchasing decisions, and must use DfE services for the procurement of supply staff and energy (unless an alternative compliant agreement is in place), and ensure their management information systems align with the DfE framework

• Trusts must now obtain DfE approval before new posts with remuneration exceeding £174,000, or performance related pay exceeding £25,000, are advertised

• An update on electric vehicle salary schemes which no longer need DfE approval in certain circumstances

• Trusts must now obtain DfE approval before offering any alternative pension schemes to TPS or LGPS

• Further guidance on severance payments, with a definition of special staff severance payments, and confirmation that special staff severance payments must not contain confidentiality clauses without prior DfE approval

• A new requirement for multi-academy trusts to publish a summary statement on their website by 31 January showing how funds are distributed across their schools. An example statement is available on the DfE website.