Due Diligence

Are new schools looking to join your trust? Or perhaps you're looking to collaborate with other schools? While merging or collaborating can bring numerous benefits, it also comes with risks, which is where we step in.

At Keystone Knowledge, our thorough due diligence reports for schools and trusts will help your academy or MAT thrive. We take the stress out of detecting and classifying risks with our thorough audit process, providing you with the information you need to make wise decisions. Our professionals offer comprehensive and precise assessments for any task, including analysing staff qualifications, checking financial stability, and assessing regulatory compliance.

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School Due Diligence Support

What Makes Keystone Different?

When you have a new school looking to join your trust it’s essential to have thorough due diligence. Our due diligence audit collates over 90 pieces of information so we can give you the full picture.

When conducting due diligence audits for schools and trusts, we ensure that all relevant policies for schools are thoroughly reviewed. You can rely on us to provide you with the information you need to safeguard your interests and promote MAT growth. 

Don't let uncertainty hold you back—let Keystone Knowledge guide you through the due diligence process with confidence.

Due Diligence

Contact us now to get your individual quote. This service is also available as individual audits. SAVE: Commission both due diligence and our conversion management service and qualify for a discounted rate.

Great For:

  • Growing trusts who need a thorough due diligence process with clear recommendations.
  • An individual audit when you need to make swift decisions and are time or resource pressured.

Our Due Diligence Service Includes:

Our thorough due diligence audit collates over 90 pieces of information in the following areas:

  • Strategic due diligence, including school improvement, governance, policies and safeguarding
  • Income, funding, sales and services
  • Expenditure
  • Cashflow
  • Balance sheet and tax
  • HR and workforce
  • Estates and Health and Safety
  • ICT
An extensive report identifying and categorizing the level of risk in each area, helping you to make the right decision for your trust.

"Save yourself time by using Keystone and tapping into their knowledge and resources."

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Risks Faced by Educational Trusts During a Merger

Like any other organisation, your school or trust may face certain risks when considering the merger of a new school or collaboration with another trust. While the set of risks may vary, there are some common risks involved, as outlined below: 

  • The correct navigation of laws and regulations can vary greatly between the parties involved. This includes following educational standards, property rules, employment laws, and more. Making sure you comply with various policies for schools is necessary for a smooth merger process.
  • Adding a new school to your trust means getting their financial operations in sync with yours. These operations often involve handling debts, combining budgets, and making sure the new organisation is financially secure. 
  • Keeping up the quality of education and academic programmes during a merger is of utmost importance. This means making sure that what the students learn, how they are taught, and how they are tested must align with your standards and goals. 
  • Bringing together administrative tasks, computer systems, HR, and other operations is a core part of the deal. Challenges include dealing with overlap in jobs, making different systems work together, and ensuring the merged operations help the school work better and smarter.

Seamless MAT Growth with Keystone

The above challenges are just a few that your trust may face. There are many more problems that can arise depending on the specific circumstances and dynamics of the merger or collaboration. Some issues may even go unnoticed until it is too late to turn back.

To avoid making a wrong decision and to handle the above mentioned risks effectively, you must first identify the potential challenges and uncertainties that could arise during the merger or collaboration process.

At Keystone Knowledge, we specialise in uncovering these hidden risks. With our due diligence checklist for trusts, we help you identify these problems proactively. Once identified, you’ll have the information to act accordingly and can overcome these hurdles, leading to a stronger, more efficient organisation that is better equipped to fulfil its educational mission.

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Benefits of Our Due Diligence Service for Schools and Trusts

Mitigating Risks

Our expert due diligence reports are very important for risk mitigation. We uncover potential risks and problems through our comprehensive evaluation process that could affect the financial health and operations of your organisation. 

For example, our financial due diligence audit for schools ensures a thorough examination of financial aspects, providing a solid foundation for risk management. Furthermore, our assessments draw attention to any operational inefficiencies, unreported financial obligations, or problems with regulatory non-compliance that can endanger your company. With this insightful knowledge, you can make wise decisions to reduce risks and protect your stakeholders' interests. 

Stakeholder Confidence

All parties involved must have trust in the choices you make collectively. You can count on the accuracy, comprehensiveness, and reliability of the information we offer through our expert due diligence reports for schools and trusts. 

Establishing credibility with stakeholders, such as board members, investors, or regulatory bodies, is made easier by this audit. They'll be aware that you've done your research and that you make informed choices based on analysis and data. This enhances your reputation as a reliable and accountable organisation, helping you to scale as desired.

Long-Term Viability

Our professional due diligence audit gives you the information you need to make smart decisions that will protect your future. Through the identification of potential risks and advantages, we assist you in skillfully navigating obstacles and seizing the chances of growth. With our in-depth review of operational effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and financial stability, you can pinpoint problem areas and put long-term success plans into action. 






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HR Support

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Worried about keeping up with the latest employment legislation and HR best practice? Our school HR professionals can provide 3 levels of advice and support to keep you on top of your HR.

Data Protection

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Managing data and making sure you are GDPR compliant can be a full-time job. Our data protection officer can make sure you stay legal with your data

Internal Scrutiny

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We provide comprehensive advice on improvement for both financial and non-financial controls all from our experience as school professionals.

Keystone Knowledge

Registered Office: Nightingale Way, Etwall, Derbyshire DE65 6RT

Keystone Knowledge is a Registered Company in England, no. 12092122

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