DfE updates: Key developments for academy trusts

The Department for Education (DfE) has published a series of updates for academy trusts, covering important developments in funding, financial reporting and administration.

We've brought together some of the key points from the DfE updates published on 19 August, 2 September and 9 September 2026.

16 to 19 in-year growth funding

The DfE has published details of its 16 to 19 exceptional in-year growth policy for the 2026/27 academic year.

Under the policy, the government has committed to funding all eligible growth in line with the published methodology. The aim is to give providers greater confidence when offering additional post-16 places and investing in staff, equipment and provision.

The DfE expects to notify providers receiving growth funding by the end of April 2027, with payments expected to begin in May 2027.

Updated energy and carbon reporting guidance

Academy trusts should also be aware of updated guidance covering streamlined energy and carbon reporting.

The guidance has been updated to reflect the latest emissions conversion factors and is intended to support trusts when reporting energy consumption within their 2025/26 accounts.

The changes will be particularly relevant to chief financial officers, accounting officers and trustees responsible for financial and environmental reporting.

Budget Forecast Return deadline approaching

Academy trusts are reminded that the deadline for the Budget Forecast Return (BFR) is 24 September 2026.

Before submitting the return, trusts should ensure their governing body has agreed both the forecasts and the assumptions underpinning them.

The DfE recommends using the best information available at the time when preparing forecasts and referring to its latest BFR guidance when determining assumptions.

Academy funding agreements moving away from GOV.UK

From September 2026, the DfE will no longer publish academy funding agreements on GOV.UK.

Instead, academy trusts are responsible for publishing redacted versions of their funding agreements on their own websites.

Personal information, including the names and titles of signatories, must be removed to meet data protection requirements.

Trusts may therefore want to review their websites to ensure the appropriate documents are available and correctly redacted.

Free school meal eligibility expanded

There has also been an important change to free school meal eligibility.

Children from households receiving Universal Credit can now qualify for free school meals regardless of household earnings.

Families wishing to receive free school meals for the first time will still need to apply, and the DfE is encouraging schools and trusts to promote the expanded eligibility criteria and help families understand the application process.

Revised 16 to 19 funding allocations

The DfE has issued revised 16 to 19 funding allocation statements for 2026/27, reflecting additional funding announced in July.

The increases include changes to national funding rates, disadvantage funding rates, elements of the post-16 National Insurance contributions grant and free meals in further education.

Providers should review their revised allocation statements and consider the implications for their latest financial forecasts.

Teachers' Pension Scheme changes

The DfE update also provides further information on the previously announced reduction in the Teachers' Pension Scheme employer contribution rate from 28.6% to 17.6% from April 2027.

As a result, associated employer contribution grant funding for eligible further education providers will also reduce from April 2027.

This is an important change for affected organisations to factor into their longer-term financial planning and budgeting.

New academies planning calendar

The academies planning calendar for 2026/27 has now been published.

It brings together key dates covering payments, publications and actions required from academy trusts throughout the academic year.

Trust finance and leadership teams may find this particularly useful when planning reporting deadlines and governance activity for the year ahead.

PE and sport premium reporting deadline

Schools receiving PE and sport premium funding are reminded that they must complete their digital expenditure reporting return by 5pm on 30 September 2026.

The return should explain how the funding has been used and the impact it has had against the aims and objectives of the grant.

Failure to meet the grant conditions could, in some circumstances, result in some or all of the funding being recovered.

Keeping on top of DfE requirements

With several reporting deadlines and funding changes taking effect over the coming months, academy trusts should make sure finance teams, trustees and accounting officers are aware of the latest requirements.

In particular, trusts should have the 24 September BFR deadline and 30 September PE and sport premium reporting deadline firmly on their calendars, while also reviewing the implications of revised funding allocations and upcoming pension changes.

If your academy or Multi-Academy Trust needs support with financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting or its wider accounting requirements, speak to the education team at SJC, Chartered Accountants. We're here to help.