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ARTICLE · 25 NOVEMBER 2025

Recent Changes To Latest Version Of Academy Trust Handbook Impact On Settlement Agreement Terms

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This years (2025) Academy Trust Handbook became effective on 1 September 2025. It was first published on 25th June 2025 and was updated on 22 October 2025.

United KingdomConsumer Protection
Alacoque Marvin
Alacoque Marvin
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Changes in October 2025 include new requirement for DfE approval.

This years (2025) Academy Trust Handbook became effective on 1 September 2025. It was first published on 25th June 2025 and was updated on 22 October 2025. This update includes two key changes to the guidance on severance payments to staff of which academy trust leaders should be aware.

For more information on the updated version of the handbook published in June, please see our article: Academy Trust Handbook 2025: what's new for Academy Trust leaders?

What changes were introduced in October 2025?

The changes are stated to reflect guidance issued by HM Treasury.

The first change was to confirm that the threshold for prior Department for Education (DfE) approval of exit packages, dependent on earnings, has been increased to apply to employees earning over £174,000 (previously £150,000).

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