Academy Trust Handbook 2026

The Department for Education (DfE) has published its updated Academy Trust Handbook, effective from 1 October 2026. Key changes include:

• New executive pay restrictions and DfE approval needed for some decisions
• A requirement to publish details of how trust funds are distributed between schools
• Renewed focus on trustees’ financial skills and experience
• Permission required for alternative pension schemes
• Chief financial officers in larger trusts should hold a professional accountancy qualification from a professional body
• The CEO pay cap confirmed
• Rules tightened around Energy for Schools Service, supply teachers and recruitment framework
• Clear trust wide approach to inclusion.

The delay in implementation comes after the Confederation of School Trusts told officials it was unacceptable that the handbook was being published with such short notice and that it was simply not possible for leaders to implement new requirements by September.

The governance guide for academy trusts has also been updated to reflect changes to the handbook above along with other recent guidance.