The Academy Trust Handbook 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 shift...

The UK's education landscape is witnessing a widespread transformation with schools, academies, and trusts trying hard to keep up with the changes. Multi-academy trust (MAT) leaders, in particular, are under increasing pressure to balance immediate needs with future financial goals. This emphasises the importance of creating a bulletproof MAT finan...

Teachers' pay award

So, the long-awaited announcement is finally here! After painful strikes and heated debates, the government has given its full consent to the STRB's recommendations. What's in it for the teachers? A solid 6.5% pay hike. And the best part? It's not just a reshuffling of old funds but an infusion of fresh money that's fully backed. This is defin...

Like business organisations, schools and academies are people places. Managing and communicating with your staff, teachers, students, and other stakeholders is a key function of human resource management (HRM). Effective HR practices are important in designing education quality and learning outcomes in schools and MATs. Common HR practices in schoo...

Although you should review your fire risk assessment every year, there are steps you can take in between to ensure you are as fire ready as possible. There are currently no statutory checks that you should take place but it's really important to conduct regular checks to ensure both you are well prepared. Here is our checklist with our suggested da...

As an academy trust, planning and managing school and academy finance go beyond balancing the books. Financial planning for schools is about creating a promising future that supports your academy trust's goals, staff, and students. All this can be achieved with multi-year financial planning. This is more than just a tool for tracking money - it's a...

Converting from an LA school to an academy in a MAT or joining a MAT as a standalone academy can have many benefits. Buying in bulk leads to greater economies in scales  Joining or starting a MAT can lead to economies of scale and greater efficiency. MATs can contain as many as 70 schools which makes them a considerable 'buying block' when pur...

At Keystone Knowledge, we talk a lot about values. It's so important to have a good set of values, whether they are your personal values or your schools. They really do form the basis for everything you do, provide a framework for how to tackle problems and build a happy, fulfilling environment for everyone. If you would like some advice on putting...

There are a developing number of stories explaining that MAT top slices are increasing and the number of trusts with fully-centralised functions is also on the rise. But what does this mean for children in schools? The intention behind this movement is that schools should get a better deal and, in turn, this delivers better outcomes for y...

In the past few years, we've seen a shift in the way schools operate, with more schools evolving and transitioning into academies and trusts. The onus of effective governance throughout this transition is on the directors and board of trustees, whose responsibilities go beyond meeting organisational and education laws. MAT trustees are expected to ...

A school can be like a second home for students, spending a considerable amount of time learning and absorbing information, developing thinking capabilities, and picking up valuable skills. With teachers and academics to guide them, schools need to be an inclusive environment where holistic learning and personality development are encouraged. The c...

We've moved a long way from having the "3Rs" as the main focus of education. We have been moving towards giving a more rounded education for a long time. As well as teaching our students essential life skills like reading and mathematics, we work to inspire a lifelong love of learning with lessons on history, geography, art and music. But is it pos...

Managing risks in schools, academies, and multi-academy trusts (MATs) isn't just about meeting compliance requirements. It's about creating a forward-looking environment where pupils and staff can thrive. At Keystone Knowledge, we understand the dynamic challenges schools face and provide the tools to build resilience and success.  Why Proacti...

Implementing a new HR system is a significant investment for schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs). An HR system is responsible for streamlining school processes, complying with regulations, and improving staff management. Incorporating a school HR system has its benefits, but one of the most overlooked aspects during implementation is ensuring d...

At Keystone Knowledge, we understand the critical importance of safeguarding educational institutions against fraud. To help schools navigate this complex issue, we've compiled essential tips from the UK Government's guidance on potential fraud. Our National Assurance Director, Matthew Clements-Wheeler, shares his insights on the best practices for...

Effective internal scrutiny is critical for ensuring compliance, financial integrity, and strong governance within academy trusts. Whether your trust is new to internal scrutiny or seeking to enhance its current approach, working effectively with your internal scrutiny partner can deliver real value. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you maximise...

Internal scrutiny: friend or foe?

Internal scrutiny is an important part of your trust risk management and should be seen as a tool that provides reassurance, unbiased advice and strategic recommendations for your organisation. However, it is often viewed as a 'scary' audit where an outside company is picking fault with the processes and procedures in your trust. This shouldn't be ...

The new Procurement Act 2023, initially scheduled to take effect from October 2024, finally came into force on 24 February 2025. This Act aims to upgrade the procurement regulations and practices by introducing more flexibility and strategic changes. With budget restrictions and increased financial scrutiny from regulators and stakeholders, your pr...