Annual governance statements

An annual governance statement is required for an academy, and is good practice for a maintained school. Get guidance on what your statement needs to contain, and take a look at examples from other schools.

Last reviewed on 10 November 2022
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 4774
Contents
  1. Who is this article for?
  2. Requirements for academy trusts
  3. Put your statement together
  4. What to include
  5. Examples from trusts
  6. Good practice for maintained schools
  7. Examples from maintained schools

Requirements for academy trusts

Academy trusts are required to submit their annual report and financial statements to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) by 31 December every year. The aim is to demonstrate that your trust is appropriately managed and is looking after public money properly.

These documents must include a governance statement. This must signed by the chair and accounting officer (usually the CEO of your trust, unless ESFA has approved someone else in exceptional circumstances). 

This requirement applies to all types of academy trust with a funding agreement with the secretary of state for education during the accounting period. It includes free schools, studio schools and university technical colleges (UTCs).

This is set out in the academies accounts direction from the ESFA.

Put your statement together

It's a good idea to assign a couple

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