DfE Standards & Compliance Knowledge Hub

Start with the right kind of assurance

Statutory and contractual obligations are not the same as recommended consultancy reviews. Trust duties depend on their funding agreement, estate, activities and the latest official guidance. A consultant cannot replace an appointed external auditor or competent specialist inspector.

Official guidance library

• Academy Trust Handbook — Financial governance, internal scrutiny, regularity and assurance
• Academy trust governance guide — Board, member and committee responsibilities
• School resource management self-assessment — Financial resource management self-assessment
• Digital and technology standards — Technology leadership, infrastructure, filtering and cyber security
• Good estate management for schools — Estate strategy, compliance and maintenance
• Keeping children safe in education — Safeguarding duties and oversight
• ICO guidance on DPIAs — Data protection impact assessments for high-risk processing

Six specialist guides

• Mat Finance And Operational Efficiency — 12 questions answered
• School Estates, Facilities And Lettings — 12 questions answered
• Education It Strategy And Procurement — 12 questions answered
• Ai And Automation For Multi-Academy Trusts — 12 questions answered
• Mat Governance, Risk And Compliance — 12 questions answered
• School Income Generation And Community Engagement — 12 questions answered

Practical self-assessment tools

• Finance efficiency assessment
• Digital standards gap assessment
• School lettings income calculator

When to seek specialist advice

Obtain qualified advice for legal interpretation, tax, statutory audit, safeguarding, structural safety, asbestos, fire safety and technical penetration testing. Our independent consultancy diagnostics support improvement planning rather than certifying compliance.

Discuss a MAT assurance or improvement review →

Last editorial review: 14 October 2026. Verify publication versions and deadlines on the linked official sites before acting.