The Academy Trust Handbook 2024 has now been published, with an effective date of 1 September 2024. The handbook should be read by anyone who has responsibility for governing, managing or auditing an academy trust and must be complied with as a requirement of trusts’ funding agreements with the Secretary of State for education.
The handbook follows suit with last year’s simpler and shorter edition, however there are several notable changes that those involved in the leadership and governance of trusts should familiarise themselves with.
The main changes in the Academy Trust Handbook 2024 are outlined below.
Finance leasing
From 1 September, the handbook confirms that trusts will have greater autonomy when it comes to managing their resources. They will be able to enter into finance leases for assets that are used on a day-to-day basis, if they appear in the Department for Education (DfE) list, without making a specific request for consent – removing any additional administrative burden.
Internal scrutiny
For trusts with revenue income of more than £50 million per year, the handbook outlines a new requirement for a professional internal audit function. From 1 September 2025, trusts of this size must deliver internal scrutiny using any combination of an in-house internal auditor or a bought-in internal audit service.
All trusts, regardless of income levels, may also use other individuals or organisations where specialist non-financial knowledge is required.
The required qualifications and/or experience for those carrying out internal scrutiny work are also clarified:
- Auditors should be members of a relevant professional body; and
- Trustees and peer reviewers performing the work should have appropriate qualifications and/or experience relevant to the area being reviewed.
Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice (EVSS) Schemes
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) have paused the position on Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice (EVSS) included in the 2023-24 handbook.
From 1 September 2024, trusts must contact ESFA (this can be done using the customer help portal) early in the planning stage, both in relation to new schemes and accepting further employees onto existing schemes.
Estates management
The list of examples where a Notice to Improve (NtI) may be issued has been extended to include “estates management”.
The handbook states that a NtI may now be issued where “Trustees and the executive fail to manage their school estate and maintain it in a safe working condition strategically and effectively.”
In a letter from ESFA Chief Executive, David Withey, the reasons for this change were outlined, “DfE’s focus is about promoting constructive, supportive and ongoing dialogue with you, whilst recognising instances where there may be a need for additional action by a minority of trusts. We are therefore extending the list of circumstances in which a notice to improve may be issued to include estates management.”
Digital and technology standards
Trusts are reminded of the importance of the DfE’s digital and technology standards and that these should be referred to, enabling informed decisions about technology.
Clarification is given that trusts should take appropriate action to meet DfE’s cyber security standards, which were developed to help them improve their resilience against cyber-attacks.
Click here to download the Academy Trust Handbook 2024.
For any queries on the handbook and the changes introduced for 2024, please get in touch with us using the contact details below.
