2024 Academies Benchmark Report

The 12th annual survey of Trusts representing 2,300 schools is now available.

This report on the financial health of academies by Bishop Fleming and Kreston Academies group is well worth reading.

Academies have once again reported surpluses, but single academy trusts in the primary sector have reported in-year deficits for the second year in a row. The number of trusts showing a cumulative deficit position has increased, but it is not yet at 2021 levels.

The report identifies that MATs have grown to an average of 10.5 schools from 10.3 last year based on the report data.

Some of the key points within the report:

• Staff costs as a percentage of total costs has reduced whilst average non-staff costs have seen a huge increase of 16%
• In the next 3 years, 75% of Trusts surveyed said their reserves would be either lower or they would have entirely run out
• The most worrying non-staff cost for the sector now is energy costs, with costs having increased on average by a minimum of 49%.