The Academy Trust Handbook 2026: Tighter Controls on Staff Exits — What Every Trust Must Know

Author: Sarah Linden, Legal Director in education employment at UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson   Background The Department for Education (“DfE”) provides an overarching framework for financial governance, management and other controls for academy trusts in England through the Academy Trust Handbook. Compliance with its requirements is a condition of the funding agreement…

How to use AI in writing assessment without losing teacher judgement

As more schools and multi-academy trusts explore how AI can support writing assessment, one question remains central: how can technology be used effectively without weakening teacher judgement? That is the challenge at the heart of Pobble’s work with Air, Olex and Stylus. Together, the partnerships bring AI-supported assessment tools alongside Pobble’s human-led moderation expertise, helping…

Academy Trusts face ‘myriad of challenges’ and growing financial pressures, according to benchmark report into the sector – Words by Chris Beaumont, at Clive Owen LLP.

  Academy trusts in England continue to face growing financial pressures, with rising staff costs and demand for special educational needs (SEND) provisions among the key challenges for the sector, according to a report published by Kreston UK, a leading global network of accounting firms. The 13th annual Kreston UK Academies Benchmark Report, encompassing the 2023/2024…

Dog robots unleashed

STEM focused Trust gifted two robot dogs by employer partner, Yondr. In a paw-some new development designed to collar the next generation of engineers and IT professionals, two robotic ‘dogs’ have officially joined the team at a multi-academy trust known for its commitment to STEM education. Activate Learning Education Trust (ALET), which manages two secondary…

Growth journey continues for IMP Software, as MAT finance experts prepare to celebrate fifth anniversary

  IMP Software, market-leading specialists in budgeting, forecasting and reporting software for Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), has reported another sensational year of growth as the firm prepares to celebrate its fifth anniversary next month.   The company, which has locations in Exeter and Peterborough, ended 2023 working with 370 MATs, including 57% of large trusts (MATs…

One of the UK’s largest education recruitment agencies, AWS, acquires Career Teachers

  Affinity Workforce Solutions (AWS), one of the UK’s largest education recruitment agencies, has acquired specialist education recruitment company Career Teachers as part of its long-term goal to become the UK market leader in education.    The addition of Career Teachers demonstrates AWS’ ambition to grow steadily as part of its mission to supply multi-academy…

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