DfE Academies Handbook 2026: 10 Key Changes for School Leaders

The Academy Trust Handbook 2026 was published on 15th July 2026 and will now come into effect on 1st October 2026.

We have broken down the 10 key changes of the DfE Academies Handbook that schools and school leaders need to be aware of.

1. Implementation Delayed

The Academy Trust Handbook will now come into effect on 1 October 2026, rather than the start of the academic year, to give trusts more time to implement the new requirements.

2. Executive Pay Controls

DfE approval is required before advertising executive posts with salaries above £174,000, or where performance-related pay exceeds £25,000. Approval is also needed where executive pay is proposed to increase at a faster rate than teachers' pay.

3. Greater Financial Transparency

Trusts must publish a summary statement alongside their annual accounts explaining how funding is distributed across their schools, including the amount spent on each academy.

4. Trustee Financial Expertise

Boards are expected to ensure they have sufficient financial expertise to hold leaders to account. Trustees, particularly those serving on finance and audit committees, should receive appropriate training in financial management, control, monitoring, and reporting.

5. Greater CEO Accountability

Accounting Officers must demonstrate openness and transparency with boards on financial management, reporting, and irregularities. They must also inform trustees if the trust's financial sustainability is at risk so appropriate action, including notifying the DfE, can be taken.

6. Chief Financial Officer Qualifications

Trusts with more than 3,000 pupils should recruit professionally qualified CFOs. From September 2027, this becomes an expectation, and trusts appointing someone without the required qualifications must notify the DfE and explain their decision.

7. Procurement Requirements

When renewing contracts, trusts are expected to use the DfE's approved supply teacher and education recruitment framework or demonstrate they have secured a compliant alternative that offers comparable value. This reinforces the importance of using trusted, compliant recruitment partners while still allowing trusts flexibility where they can evidence equivalent value and quality.

8. Management Information Systems (MIS)

By September 2027, trusts must ensure their MIS contracts align with the new DfE framework. Where contracts expire before then, any extension or replacement should be limited to 12 months as a transitional arrangement.

9. Pension Scheme Approval

Trusts wishing to offer an alternative to the Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme must seek DfE approval at an early stage and before consulting staff. Approval must be granted before any changes are implemented.

10. Inclusion and Future Reforms

Trusts must embed inclusion across all aspects of their provision, ensuring pupils with SEND and disadvantaged learners can fully participate in school life. Boards should designate oversight for inclusion and SEND, with further trust standards and governance reforms expected later this year.

How Can Prospero Support Your Setting?

At Prospero Learning, our professional learning and CPD platform offers a growing catalogue of high-quality, accredited courses designed to support the latest DfE priorities, including inclusion, SEND and safeguarding.

We also believe schools and trusts shouldn't have to choose between quality and affordability. If your setting currently subscribes to another CPD platform, we guarantee to beat the price of any equivalent annual subscription, giving you greater flexibility, outstanding training, and significant cost savings.

Find out more at www.prospero-learning.com.

Through our sister company, Prospero Teaching, we provide market-leading recruitment and staffing solutions for schools, colleges and multi-academy trusts. As an approved supplier on both Lot 1 and Lot 2 of the GCA framework, alongside several other frameworks across England and Wales, we can support your recruitment needs through compliant framework agreements or bespoke staffing solutions tailored to your setting.

Find out more at www.prosperoteaching.com