Academy trusts have been ordered to publish detailed breakdowns of how cash is divvied up between their schools in a bid to boost funding transparency. The rules have been added to the latest version of the academy trust handbook, released today, which has also barred chains from proposing to offer any alternative pension schemes without the government’s say-so. But the date on which the changes to the rulebook will come into force has been pushed back after civil servants acknowledged leaders would be hard pressed to deliver them in time for the new school year. This comes after the Confederation of School Trusts told officials it was “unacceptable” the handbook was being published with “such short notice” and that it “is simply not possible for leaders to implement new requirements” by September. Leora Cruddas, the organisation’s chief executive, said today that she was “pleased the department has listened to CST’s call to delay implementation”. “But we remain concerned at the lack of consultation in many areas, and the suggestion there could be yet further, mid-year, changes to come around SEND and trust standards. “There is a creeping tendency to extend the scope and tighten the requirements of the handbook each year, well beyond what it was originally envisaged to be.” Here are the key updates… 1. Delay ‘challenges’ In a letter to CEOs today, Andrew Thomas, the Department for Education’s director of funding, acknowledged “publication shortly before the end of the academic year may present challenges for some trusts in implementing changes”. In recognition of this, officials have moved the handbook’s implementation date to 1 October 2026. New versions of the handbook usually come into force at the start of the school year. 2. Financial rules The schools white paper earlier this year said the government would improve transparency over trusts’ financial arrangements. And under new requirements in the handbook, they must publish a “summary statement” alongside annual accounts by 31 January each year “outlining how funds are distributed across their schools”. They should also show how much is spent on each academy in the trust. 3. Pension scheme Under the updated rules, trusts proposing to offer any alternative to the teacher pension or local government pension schemes “must approach DfE to seek approval early in the planning stage”. These discussions with officials must also take place before any proposed changes are communicated to staff. Alternatives must be approved by DfE before changes are made. This comes after Schools Week revealed in 2024 that the United Learning Trust, England’s biggest MAT, was planning to offer its teachers the choice of an alternative pension scheme from 2025, alongside the TPS. It said it would use savings from employer contributions to hike their take-home pay instead. However, the 96-school chain ditched the 2025 launch date and has not issued an update on the proposals since. ULT has been approached for comment. 4. CFO crackdown Trusts with over 3,000 pupils have been told their chief financial officers “should hold a professional accountancy qualification from a professional body”. From October, they “should specify that the person should be a qualified accountant” when recruiting for the role. Applicants should also be a “member of the relevant professional accountancy body and/or hold the [Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy] level 7 qualification”. From September 2027, these criteria must be specified. Trusts looking to recruit a CFO who does not meet these conditions must inform DfE in advance. When doing so, they must include “an explanation of why the trust is not appointing a qualified accountant or holder of the CIPFA level 7 qualification”. 5. Trustee training The handbook has fleshed out the government’s expectations around trustees’ skills and experience. Boards have been told they should ensure they have “sufficient and effective financial knowledge and expertise to hold the executive to account”. “This should include appropriate financial training covering financial management, control, monitoring and reporting, for trustees and in particular, for finance committee members and audit and risk committee members.” 6. The CEO pay cap We reported last month that controls will be placed on executive pay. These have been codified in the updated handbook, which said DfE approval must be secured before posts are advertised where remuneration exceeds £174,000 or the “pro rata equivalent for part-time staff”. The same rules apply for roles where performance-related pay is above £25,000. Trusts must also secure the go-ahead from officials if they believe “there is a justification” to increase executive pay at a faster rate than that of their teachers. 7. ‘Candour and transparency’ Separately, accounting officers – usually trust CEOs – have been told to apply “candour and transparency in discussions with the board relating to, but not limited to, financial assurance, financial management, financial reporting and irregularity”. The handbook also clarified they must notify their board “where it is identified that the trust’s ability to operate as a going concern is at risk”. This will help trustees “take ownership and the necessary action, including notifying DfE”. 8. Energy and supply Trusts must use the DfE’s energy for schools service or a DfE-approved deal “unless an alternative agreement with comparable pricing has been sourced”. This will apply when organisations’ contracts are up for renewal. Previously announced conditions compelling trusts to use the government’s supply teachers and education recruitment framework have been added to the handbook also. They can only use other suppliers if it’s through a “compliant agreement with rates which do not exceed those available through the framework”. 9. MIS deal rules And by September 2027, trusts will have to ensure their management information system (MIS) contracts are aligned with the DfE’s MIS framework, which has not launched yet. Trusts must also use the framework when awarding their next full-term deal. If a contract expires before September 2027, any extension or replacement must be for no more than 12 months and “act as a transitional arrangement ahead of framework procurement”. 10. More changes to come? Trusts have been ordered to ensure “inclusion is embedded across all aspects of their provision” so all pupils, particularly those with SEND and who are disadvantaged – can access “appropriate support” and “participate fully in school life”. They should also implement a “clear, trust-wide approach to inclusion”. Meanwhile, boards should “designate a trustee, or establish a committee, to support oversight of inclusion, including SEND”. Thomas revealed the department will publish new trust standards – which will set Labour’s expectations for all academy chains – and commissioning guidance “later this year”. It will “also issue consultation proposals on the local tier of trust governance”. DfE “will update the handbook as necessary following this”.