--- title: "Academy Trust Handbook 2025 - Blog - Keystone Knowledge" description: "The key changes in the Academy Trust Handbook 2025, including updated technology targets, executive pay rules, procurement due diligence, and new financial oversight guidance." url: "https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/academy-trust-handbook-2025" date: "2026-06-04T23:40:21+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- [ Categories ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories "Categories") [ Tags ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/tags "Tags") [ Authors ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/blogger "Authors") [ Archives ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/archive "Archives") [ Categories: All Categories ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/javascript:void(0); "Categories") Search...Suggested keywords [ x ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/javascript:void(0);) [ Print ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/academy-trust-handbook-2025?tmpl=component&print=1&format=print "Print") # Academy Trust Handbook 2025 — What You Need to Know [General](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/categories/general) [Steve](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/blogger/steve) Thursday, 26 June 2025 1481 Hits [The Academy Trust Handbook 2025](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academy-trust-handbook/academy-trust-handbook-2025-effective-from-1-september-2025) has now been published. While there are no major policy overhauls, several key updates provide important clarity for trust leaders. This summary sets out what has changed and what school trusts need to be aware of from 1 September 2025. **Summary of Changes to the 2025 Academy Trust Handbook** **No significant policy shifts** The changes for 2025 are minimal but add crucial detail and reinforce expectations. The current 2024 handbook remains in effect until 31 August 2025. **1. 2030 Digital and Technology Standards** Trusts are now expected to understand their progress against the Department for Education's [six core digital and technology standards](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/meeting-digital-and-technology-standards-in-schools-and-colleges), covering: - Broadband - Network switching - Wireless networks - Cybersecurity - Filtering - Digital leadership and governance All trusts should be working towards meeting these standards by 2030. Currently, only 16 per cent of schools fully meet the standards, so early action is essential. **2. Executive Pay Must Be Transparent and Defensible Boards must document how executive pay decisions are: - Transparent - Proportionate - Defensible The handbook expects robust, justifiable decisions, formally approved by the board. The DfE can challenge CEO pay where necessary. **3. Cyber Ransom Demands — Strict Ban** Paying cyber ransom demands is now explicitly prohibited. The risk of repeat incidents and the lack of guaranteed service restoration make such payments unacceptable. **4. Educational Performance Removed from Notice to Improve (NtI) Criteria** Educational performance is no longer grounds for issuing an NtI. Notices can still be issued for: - Poor governance structures - Failures in safeguarding - Neglecting school estate safety **5. Expanded Definition of Repercussive Payments** The term now includes any transaction likely to result in additional costs for other parts of government. All novel, contentious, or repercussive transactions require DfE approval before agreements or financial commitments are made. **6.** **Due Diligence Required for Procurement** Trusts must have robust due diligence processes in place around procurement. The handbook also provides an extended list of resources to support effective procurement practices. **7. New Guidance on Financial Support and Oversight** The Department for Education has published new guidance outlining: - How the DfE will work with trusts where there are financial concerns - What financial support is available to trusts - How the DfE may intervene, via its Regions Group Further summaries and resources are expected to follow to help trusts navigate this new guidance. **6. Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Schemes Remain Paused** The current pause on EV salary sacrifice schemes remains in place. Discussions are ongoing, with no confirmed date for resumption. **What to Do Next** Trust leaders should assess their compliance with the updated requirements and take early action to plan for: - Meeting the 2030 digital and technology standards - Ensuring executive pay decisions meet the new transparency expectations - Strengthening procurement due diligence - Understanding the new financial oversight processes Further updates and summaries will be shared as more detail becomes available. **Stay Informed and Prepared** The 2025 Academy Trust Handbook sets clearer expectations for governance, financial management, technology standards, and due diligence. Review your policies, assess your digital infrastructure, and ensure your governance processes meet the latest requirements. For expert updates, resources, and support: [Subscribe to our newsletter](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/newsletter) or [get in touch with our team](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/contact-us) to ensure your trust stays compliant and prepared. [ 0 ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/javascript:void(0);) [ ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/javascript:void(0);) [ ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/javascript:void(0);) [ ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/javascript:void(0);) [ ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/javascript:void(0);) [ MAT Finance Benchmarking: What the Top 10% of Trus... ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/mat-finance-benchmarking) [ Is Internal Scrutiny Adding Real Value to Your Aca... ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/internal-audit-benefits) #### About the author [ ![Steve](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/images/easyblog_avatar/927_Steve_Mitchell_Author_Bio.jpg) ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/blogger/steve) ### [Steve](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/blogger/steve) [ Steve ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/blogger/steve) Stephen is an experienced leader in education, and the CEO of Keystone Knowledge. He has worked as CEO, CFO, COO across academies since 2012 and delivered programmes of change and rapid organisational improvement. He holds an MBA with a thesis on improving the quality of management in education, is currently working on his Doctorate, and is a national lead assessor on the School Resource Management Advisor (SRMA) programme for the DfE. He regularly speaks at national conferences on a range of topics relevant to the education sector. [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/LinkedIn_logo_initials.png/600px-LinkedIn_logo_initials.png?20140125013055) ![](https://londonsport.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/twitter-x-logo-101C7D2420-seeklogo.com_.png)](https://X.com/imstevemitchell) ##### Author's recent posts [More posts from author](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/blogger/steve) [ Tuesday, 11 November 2025 The Pros and Cons of GAG Pooling ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-gag-pooling) [ Wednesday, 16 July 2025 What Great MAT Governance Looks Like in 2025 - A Practical Guide for Trustees ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/great-mat-governance) [ Tuesday, 08 July 2025 How to Navigate Formal Disciplinary Processes in Your School or Trust ](https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/formal-disciplinary-action-schools) ## Schema ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.keystoneknowledge.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Resources", "item": "https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Steve", "item": "https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/blogger/steve" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Academy Trust Handbook 2025 — What You Need to Know", "item": "https://www.keystoneknowledge.com/blog/academy-trust-handbook-2025.md" } ] } ```