Key dates for academy schools: September 2025 to August 2026
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Your clear, practical guide to the biggest compliance and reporting deadlines in the academy finance year.
Every academy trust operates to a tight reporting schedule — and staying ahead of key deadlines is essential for compliance, strategic planning and maintaining strong financial control. With multiple DfE returns, census days, grant releases and year-end processes to juggle, it’s easy to see why trust finance teams describe the academic year as a cycle of busy peaks.
To help you plan the year with confidence, here’s a clear breakdown of the major finance and compliance dates for September 2025 to August 2026, based on confirmed DfE guidance. Whether you're a bursar, CFO or school finance manager, this timeline will help you stay prepared and avoid last-minute pressure.
December 2025 - Audit Close & Key Returns
December is one of the busiest financial months for academies.
5 December - Workforce Census submission
Critical HR and staffing data for national reporting.
16 December - Land & Buildings Collection Tool
Trusts must submit estate information for ESFA reporting.
31 December - Deadline for audited financial statements
Trusts must submit:
- audited accounts
- audit findings report
- internal scrutiny report
- accounts submission cover
This is the biggest statutory financial deadline of the year.
Payments released
- Pupil Premium instalments
- Early Career Framework funding
January 2026 - AAR Season & Public Reporting
15 January - Spring School Census Day
Captured data influences funding allocations.
28 January - Academies Accounts Return (AAR) deadline
Trusts must submit their AAR to the DfE — a key statutory return.
31 January - Publish audited accounts online
Trusts must publish their 2024–25 audited accounts on their website.
DfE issues:
- High Needs Place Change outcomes
- GAG (General Annual Grant) allocations for 2025–26
- Guidance on funding estimates for 2026–27
February 2026 - Census & Admissions
11 February - School Census return deadline
Census data affects funding and future planning.
28 February - Admission arrangements finalisation
Schools must confirm arrangements for 2027.
Funding updates:
- PNA positive allocations (for September 2025 cohort)
March 2026 - Planning, Forecasts & Compliance
15 March - Publish admission arrangements for 2027
To be shared with the local authority.
DfE releases:
- Revenue funding allocations (including 16–19)
- Accounts Direction and model accounts
- Self-Assessment Checklist deadline
Payments released:
- PE & Sport Premium
- Mainstream NICs adjustments
- Breakfast Club grant allocations
April 2026- Forecasting & Regulations
DfE issues:
- 16–19 funding guidance
- Updated funding regulations
- Budget Forecast Return (BFR) guidance
Payments released:
- Final quarterly Pupil Premium for 2025–26
May 2026 - Census & Companies House Filings
21 May - Summer School Census Day
31 May - Deadline to file audited accounts with Companies House
(For trusts that are required to file as companies.)
DfE issues:
- Main PNA statements
- Updated Chart of Accounts
Payments released:
- Final PE & Sport Premium instalment
June 2026 - Compliance Updates & Recovery Plans
17 June - Census return deadline
DfE publishes:
- Academy Trust Handbook 2026
- 16–19 Subcontracting Control Guidance
Trusts prepare:
- Planned recovery plans for PNA
July 2026 - Final In-Year Updates
DfE publishes 16–19 Interactive Census Tool
Payments released:
- Quarter 1 Pupil Premium for 2026–27
- PNA positive payments
August 2026 - Year-End Close
By 1 August - Confirm participation in in-year admissions
Trusts must share arrangements with the local authority.
By 31 August - Academy Trust Year-End
The financial year closes for all academies.
By 31 August - Budget Forecast Return (BFR) deadline
One of the most important summer submissions.
This final month is also when trusts complete:
- coding tidy-ups
- accruals & prepayments
- bank, creditors and VAT reconciliations
- document preparation ahead of autumn audit
How XfE helps trusts stay ahead of these deadlines
With so many important dates across the year, visibility and consistency are essential. XfE supports schools and MATs by providing:
Real-time reporting
No waiting for spreadsheets — see up-to-date financials across every school.
In-system KPIs
Spot trends, variances and department patterns instantly.
Cleaner reconciliations
Clear workflows for bank, creditors and VAT help keep data accurate before key submissions.
Trust-wide consistency
Standardised coding makes year-end and statutory returns smoother.
Better audit readiness
Auditors benefit from clearer transaction trails and easy-to-access financial information.
Final thoughts
The academy finance calendar is demanding — but with the right preparation and the right tools, trust finance teams can stay confident, compliant and ahead of every deadline.
If you’d like to see how XfE supports trusts throughout the year, especially during major submissions like the AAR and BFR, we’d be happy to show you.
