Barker works in partnership with School and Academy Trust sector bodies The Confederation of School Trusts (CST), Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) and The Trust Network. They continue to advocate hard on behalf of schools and trusts and are offering guidance and advice on operational issues. Some key items are highlighted here.
The academies budget forecast return (BFR) is now open, with a deadline of 17:00 on 28 August.
Updates for 2025 include additional details to help trusts understand the information required; a reserve balance details section for trusts with reserves of over 20% of total revenue income to share plans for them; and an increased input value limits to enable large trusts with higher staffing costs to enter higher values.
The BFR form uses the DfE sign-in registration service and can be accessed here, while supporting Excel workbooks can be found on this page.
Full guidance on using the form, including links to help with forecasting assumptions, can be found on gov.uk
Starting 10 June and running until 28 August, the Department will be hosting regular BFR drop-in sessions which you can register to join via Eventbrite. There will also be a dedicated ‘power hour’ session on submitting your BFR on 12 June (details to be confirmed).
The Department has updated guidance which is intended to help trusts manage reserves and create robust reserves policies. The guidance has been updated to reflect the requirements in the reserve details section of the 2025 Budget Forecast Return. Additionally, the guidance says that trusts should review bank accounts and interest rates to the ‘Considerations for the Board’ section.
This new guidance outlines standards that schools and trusts should meet in managing their estate. It outlines best practices and expectations to ensure that school facilities are safe, well-maintained, and fit for purpose, while also promoting sustainability.
Key takeaways from the new school estates standards are noted in our blog. Read here.