School resource management self-assessment checklist
This self-assessment checklist helps academy trusts check they are managing resources effectively and identify any adjustments they need to make.
Applies to England
Submit your self-assessment checklist
The link to submit your checklist for 2024 to 2025 will be published in January 2025. Do not use any saved links to submit your checklist.
Overview
All academy trusts that have an open academy must complete the self-assessment checklist each year.
The checklist helps governing bodies and trust boards:
- 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 education outcomes for pupils
The checklist helps trusts identify areas for potential improvement in their resource management. It also provides assurance to the Department for Education that trusts have the right processes, systems and structures in place to help them achieve a good level of financial health and resource management.
The checklist was previously part of the school resource management self-assessment tool (SRMSAT).
Who needs to complete the self-assessment checklist
All academy trusts that have an open academy on 31 December 2024 must complete and submit a 2024 to 2025 self-assessment checklist.
Local-authority-maintained schools should use the schools financial value standard.
Complete your checklist
The checklist covers 6 areas:
- governance
- trust strategy
- setting the annual budget
- staffing
- value for money
- protecting the public purse
As you’re completing your self-assessment checklist, you may find it useful to refer to:
- the
- the academy trust governance guide
- 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
Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool
The Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool helps trusts to complete their checklist. It is replacing the View my financial insights tool and the Schools financial benchmarking service.
Anyone can use it to compare schools, academies or trusts across England, although you will need a DfE Sign-in account to access some parts of the service.
Contact us
Send feedback on the checklist and guidance to [email protected].
If you’d like to receive monthly updates from DfE on school resource management, sign up to our school business professional contact list.
Updates to this page
Published 6 August 2021Last updated 31 October 2024 + show all updates
-
Removed the link to the online checklist submission form. A link to the form for 2024 to 2025 will be available in January 2025. Added ‘2024 to 2025 checklist support notes’ which replaces the 2023 to 2024 version of the document. Changes are outlined in the document, under the heading 'Document History'.
-
Added message about questions 19 and 20 not having a “not applicable” option and advised the best way to address this. Updated the '2023 to 2024 checklist support notes' to reflect this.
-
Added a link to the online form for academy trusts to submit their checklists. The form is now open.
-
Removed the link to the online form. The online form for 2023 to 2024 will be available in January 2024.
-
Updated the dates for 2023 to 2024 and added the '2023 to 2024 checklist support notes'.
-
A link to the online form for academy trusts to submit their self-assessment checklist has been added.
-
The document ‘2022 to 2023 checklist support notes’ has replaced the 2021 to 2022 equivalent. Changes from 2021 to 2022 are outlined in the document, under the heading “What has changed in this edition”.
-
Added a link to the online form for academy trusts to submit their return and updated the 2021 to 2022 checklist support notes with guidance on how to make the submission.
-
Updated checklist support notes for 2021 to 2022 including changes made to the questions and information on how to submit the form.
-
Amended the date shown in 'submit your checklist' from 15 April 2022 to 15 March 2022.
-
Updated for the 2021 to 2022 checklist.
-
First published.