Guidance for trusts on how to submit a self-assessment checklist

This useful self-assessment checklist helps academy trusts to check that they are managing resources effectively and identify any adjustments they need to make

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on gov.uk

All academy trusts which have an open academy must complete the self-assessment checklist each year. The checklist was previously part of the school resource management self-assessment tool and it helps governing bodies and trust boards to:

• check they have appropriate financial management and governance arrangements;
• check they are meeting the right standards to achieve a good level of financial health and resource management;
• identify areas for change to make sure resources are used to support high-quality teaching and the best educational outcomes for pupils.

Who needs to complete the self-assessment checklist?

All academy trusts which have an open academy on 31 December 2022 must complete and submit a 2022-23 self-assessment checklist. Local authority maintained schools should use the schools financial value standard.

Completing your checklist

The checklist covers six areas:

1. governance;
2. trust strategy;
3. setting the annual budget;
4. staffing;
5. value for money;
6. protecting the public purse.

As you’re completing your self-assessment checklist, you may find it useful to refer to:

• the 2022-23 checklist support notes 
• the Academies Trust Handbook
• the Governance Handbook
• guidance on operating an academy trust as a going concern
• information on integrated curriculum and financial planning
• guidance on good estate management in schools
• the School resource management collection

Self-assessment dashboard

The self-assessment dashboard helps trusts to complete their checklists – to find your school’s dashboard:

• search for your school(s) on the schools financial benchmarking service;
• click on ‘start a comparison’;
• click on ‘self-assessment dashboard’.

Guidance on completing the self-assessment dashboard is available.

The dashboard provides red, amber or green ratings against your school’s data. This indicates how your spending and characteristics compare with similar schools, or nationally recognised bandings, and includes possible follow-up actions.

Submitting your self-assessment checklist

Use the online form to submit your checklist. If you have used this type of online form before – for example, the last time you submitted your checklist or the accounts submission coversheet – you can log in using the same details – but don’t use your identity and access management system registration details, as these will not work with this form.