How Keystone’s Internal Scrutiny Gave Aspire Academies Trust Greater Confidence in Its Controls

Internal Scrutiny is most useful when it does two things: confirms what is working and shows where a trust can improve.

Aspire Academies Trust wanted a provider with the subject knowledge to do both. The Trust also wanted a straightforward process, with clear guidance before each review and no surprises on the day.

Keystone was appointed to deliver an Internal Scrutiny programme built around the Trust's priorities.

Aspire Academies Trust is a family of six primary academies in Hertfordshire. "Together we are stronger" reflects the Trust's belief that schools can work collaboratively while retaining their own identities.

The Trust aims to give every child the best possible opportunities to succeed, regardless of age, ability or background. It places particular emphasis on listening to its academies, sharing knowledge, and supporting staff and pupil development.

Aspire wanted the reviews to go beyond checking whether policies and documents were in place.

The auditors needed to understand how each area worked in practice, recognise where arrangements were already strong and make recommendations that teams could use.

Communication mattered too. Aspire wanted to know what each review would cover, what evidence would be needed and what to expect when the auditors arrived.

Keystone agreed on a programme covering:

• Health and safety
• Finance
• Safeguarding
• Estates management
• Cyber security

Before each review, Keystone sent an information sheet setting out the scope and the documents the Trust should have available.

Keystone's auditors then spent time on site with Aspire, reviewing the evidence and discussing how arrangements worked in practice. Because staff knew what to prepare, on-site time could focus on the controls themselves and any areas needing attention.

The auditors understood education and brought experience from similar reviews with other trusts. Their recommendations reflected how trusts actually operate.

"I was very impressed with the information sheet provided for each area agreed for scrutiny. It informed us in advance what would be reviewed and what we should have available. The auditors who attended were able to relate to all the areas discussed and brought good recommendations based on what they had learned from other reviews."

The reviews found strong processes in all five areas. Aspire could take that assurance back to trustees with confidence.

Where there was scope to improve, Keystone set out recommendations and actions. Aspire considered these and has since introduced several changes.

"The most valuable outcome has been reassurance that our processes in each area are strong. This helps us reassure trustees, while the recommendations and actions will help us strengthen the areas identified."

• Independent assurance across five financial and non-financial areas.
• Evidence that leaders could share with trustees.
• Practical recommendations that led to changes.
• Reviewers who understood education and the areas being reviewed.
• A well-prepared process with no surprises on the day.

Keystone's Internal Scrutiny programmes are aligned with DfE expectations, your risk register and governance calendar. Trusts can choose a single review focused on one priority area or a broader programme covering three modules across the year.

Each programme includes:

• Priorities, scope and timing agreed with trustees and senior leaders
• On-site fieldwork as standard
• Reviewers who understand how academies operate
• Concise, risk-rated reports for leaders and trustees
• Practical, prioritised actions with clear owners

If your trust is reviewing its Internal Scrutiny programme for 2026/27, speak to the Keystone team.