Compliance with the handbook remains a condition of an academy trust's funding agreement and therefore boards, accounting officers, chief financial officers (CFOs) and senior leaders should review the changes and plan their response now.

After a few years of minor amendments there are some more significant changes for 2026.

1. New financial summary statement requirement for Multi Academy Trusts – Section 5.32

Multi-academy trusts will be required to publish a new summary statement on their website alongside their audited accounts by 31 January each year explaining how funding is distributed across academies The statement should be consistent with the information set out in the accounts, and should include:

• Details of the financial operating model (e.g. whether GAG funding is pooled, or any top-slicing arrangements).
• Central services provided to Academies and charging arrangements
• Summary of income and expenditure by Academy

The DfE has published an example statement, which can be found here: Academy trusts’ financial arrangements: trust summary statement - GOV.UK

2. Stronger expectations around inclusion and SEND – Section 1.16 to 1.20

The handbook introduces a new section emphasising trusts' responsibilities for inclusion, SEND, safeguarding and collaboration with local authorities and partner agencies. Trusts are expected to adopt a trust-wide approach to identifying and supporting pupils with additional needs and to monitor participation, access and outcomes consistently across all academies.

Boards are also expected to designate a trustee or committee responsible for oversight of inclusion and SEND provision, although this is currently worded as ‘should’ rather than ‘must’, and is therefore an expectation rather than a requirement.

3. Higher expectations for CFO qualifications – Section 1.46

For trusts with more than 3,000 pupils, the DfE now expects the CFO to hold a recognised professional accountancy qualification (for example ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA level 7) or equivalent credentials. These expectations become mandatory recruitment requirements from 1 September 2027. After this date, Trusts appointing a CFO who does not meet the criteria will need inform the DfE in advance of the appointment.

Please note that this only applies to new appointments, therefore there is no change for current CFOs, however we would recommend that Trusts consider succession planning arrangements in advance of these changes.

4. Greater focus on trustee financial expertise – Section 1.31

The handbook strengthens expectations around financial competence at board level. Trustees are expected to assess whether the board and its committees have sufficient financial expertise to provide effective oversight and challenge. Boards should consider whether there are any financial training requirements, particularly for the finance committee members and audit and risk committee members.

5. Pension Scheme changes – Section 2.40

Trusts seeking alternatives to the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) or Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) will now be required to engage with the DfE at an early stage and obtain approval before proposals are communicated to employees or implemented.

6. Increased scrutiny of senior pay – Sections 2.31 to 2.34

The updated handbook reinforces controls around senior executive remuneration, and also introduces new requirements for high value appointments.

Trusts must now obtain DfE approval for any new appointments where the remuneration exceeds £174k on a FTE basis, or for performance related pay above £25k.

7. Procurement and Management Information Systems (MIS) – Sections 2.27 to 2.30

The handbook introduces further expectations around procurement compliance, in particular in relation to agency staff, recruitment and energy contracts. There are also new specific requirements around Management Information System (MIS) contracts.

8. Other changes

Other minor changes to be aware of include:

• A reminder that trusts that they should be working towards the digital and technology standards by 2030 – Section 1.21
  
• An expectation that Boards should take an integrated approach to curriculum and financial planning – Section 2.13. Guidance can be found here: Integrated curriculum and financial planning (ICFP) - GOV.UK
  
• A specific requirement for the accounting officer to notify the board where the ability to operate as a going concern is at risk. The Trustees are ultimately responsible for taking necessary action and for notifying the DfE. – Section 2.21
  
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice schemes no longer need DfE approval, unless the trust is under a Notice to Improve – Section 2.37
  
• Further guidance on the considerations around staff severance payments – Sections 5.7 to 5.14
  
• Clarifying the action that can be taken by the Secretary of State where a trust is in breach of the funding agreement – Section 6.17

Conclusion

The 2026 Academy Trust Handbook continues the DfE's drive towards stronger accountability and transparency across the academy sector. For most trusts, the highest-priority actions will be:

1. Preparing for publication of the new financial summary statement.
   
2. Strengthening SEND and inclusion governance arrangements.
3. Reviewing CFO succession and qualification requirements.
   
4. Assessing trustee financial expertise.

If you want to know how these changes may affect you practically we are running our next NFP as an Academy special: Academy Trust Handbook 2026 – What’s changed and what matters in practice – 16 September 2026, 9.00am – 10.00am.

If you would like more information then please contact Cody Muntean – 01245 951877