Need-to-know: Academy Trust Handbook 2026 published
The Academy Trust Handbook has been updated, but won't take effect until 1 October 2026. Changes of note include an explicit focus on inclusion, new financial training expectations for trustees and tighter controls over executive pay.
The new Academy Trust Handbook (ATH) has been published but doesn't come into force until 1 October 2026. Your trust must comply with the 2025 handbook until then.
Changes in the 2026 handbook include:
- A new focus on inclusion
- New financial training expectations for trustees
- Stricter rules for appointing chief financial officers
- Enhanced requirements for procurement and purchasing
- Tighter controls for executive pay and staff pensions, benefits and severance payments
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