School resource management self-assessment 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 2024 to 2025 checklist support notes (PDF, 345 KB, 32 pages)
• 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 school.resourcemanagement@education.gov.uk.

If you’d like to receive monthly updates from DfE on school resource management, sign up to our school business professional contact list.