Welcome to The Key

Budget forecast return: requirements and guidance

There will be a single form this year combining the budget forecast return outturn (BFRO) and the BFR 3 year (BFR3Y). Your next deadline is 27 July 2021.

Academy Trust Handbook: changes from September 2021

The Academies Financial Handbook has been refreshed and renamed. There are no major changes, but you should still be familiar with what’s different in the new handbook. Use our summary to get up to speed.

Trustees: how to make sure your local governing bodies are effective and engaged

Be clear on how to help your local governing bodies (LGBs) feel valued and understand their role, so they can feel accountable and engaged and become effective players in your trust.

Case study: how a 14-school trust set its top-slicing strategy

Flowchart: how to centralise a service

Deciding who should manage procurement in your trust