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Share The Department for Education’s updated non-statutory Academy Trust Governance Guide does more than refresh the rule book – it signals a widening brief for boards who want to keep pace with rising expectations and community trust. Below is a whistle-stop tour of the key changes and why they matter for your pupils, staff and stakeholders.
1. A clear spotlight on compliant procurement
For the first time, the guide highlights the Procurement Act 2023 and the new National Procurement Policy Statement as key considerations for trustees. Boards are expected to assure themselves that every purchase, from IT licences to major capital works, delivers demonstrable value and follows the right competitive route.
2. External Reviews of Governance move centre-stage
The handbook now recommends a rolling cycle of independent governance reviews backed by updated DfE templates. This shift formalises best practices: fresh eyes, stronger boards, and better outcomes.
Our Effective Local Governance survey can help you measure the effectiveness of local governance practices and highlight inconsistencies in school-level governance across a trust. Furthermore, it provides evidence to build stronger links and communication between local governing bodies and the school leadership team.
3. Behaviour expectations – and evidence – go deeper
Boards must have an up-to-date behaviour policy, keep serious incident records and draw on anti-bullying strategies. The guide signposts further advice on reasonable force, searches and mobile phones.
Surveying pupil behaviour helps schools and trusts gain a complete picture of behaviour across their community – from staff, primary and secondary pupils, and parents. Use the insights to strengthen policies, support staff, and build a more positive school environment.
4. Buildings, safety and a whole-trust estates view
Regulation 6 of the School Premises Regulations is now quoted directly, making boards accountable for ensuring “as much as is reasonably possible, the health, safety and welfare of pupils”. Trustees are also urged to use the Good Estate Management for Schools toolkit and maintain a prioritised maintenance plan.
5. Nutrition recognised as a governance issue
Healthy eating is now explicitly linked to mental health and wellbeing. Boards must check that their schools meet the School Food Standards and model a “whole-school approach to healthy eating”.
6. Financial governance updated
The DfE removed references to the mainstream schools’ additional grant and the Covid Recovery Premium. They have also updated the status of the teachers’ pay additional grant, teachers’ pension employer contribution grant, core schools budget grant and National Insurance contributions grant. Information regarding the chair’s sign-off of the digital reporting form return for the school’s PE and sport premium allocation has also been updated.
Turning guidance into impact
Each of these updates sharpens the board’s oversight responsibilities, but they also create an opportunity to build stronger engagement with your community:
- Ask the right questions – updated Edurio survey modules for governance, behaviour, estates and nutrition map directly to the handbook so evidence flows to the board in one place.
- Close the loop – publish headline actions from reviews and surveys; transparency drives trust.
- Build capacity – schedule CPD on procurement law, estates management, and whole-school wellbeing so that governors feel confident in challenging and supporting leaders.
Ready to benchmark your governance practice against the new guide? Book a call with our School Partnerships team and explore the latest survey tools today.