Guidance

Academy trusts: governance guide

Guidance on strategic leadership and the governance of academy trusts.

• From: Department for Education
• Published: 19 November 2025
• Last updated: 20 July 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 20 July 2026

     We have updated section 7.11.1, on directing pupils off-site to improve their behaviour, because the relevant legislation applies to academy schools. We have also clarified detail on when a requirement on new appointments comes into effect. This is in section 5.5, on setting and managing executive pay.

  2. 15 July 2026

     We have updated the governance guide to reflect new duties which come into force from 1 September 2026, and other recommendations. We have outlined the changes in the ‘What has changed – July 2026 update’ section.

  3. 19 November 2025

     First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Academy trusts: governance guide

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Details

This non-statutory guidance is for those involved in trust governance. It provides essential information from a range of sources on the trust board’s roles and legal responsibilities.

The academy trust handbook and your funding agreement have more information on contractual requirements.