Understanding the New School Information Regulations: A Guide for Parents and Educators

The UK government has introduced the School Information (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, a new set of rules designed to enhance financial transparency in maintained schools across England. Here's what you need to know about these changes and how they affect your child's school.

What's Changing?

The primary change is the requirement for governing bodies of maintained schools (excluding hospital schools) to update their online presence. Schools must now link to their specific page on the new Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool directly from their website. This tool, which replaces the retired Schools Financial Benchmarking website, offers a modernized way to compare financial data.

Why the Change?

The Department for Education has been committed to providing tools that help schools understand and optimize their spending compared to other schools. The new tool integrates various existing services into one, offering a clearer picture of financial activities and promoting transparency.

Impact on Schools

Schools are now tasked with a simple update: ensuring their websites link to the new tool. This change is considered minor and doesn't impose significant new responsibilities. The goal is to keep financial information accessible and up-to-date, aligning with standards already set for academy trusts.

What About Consultation?

The government decided against conducting a new consultation for this change, citing its minor nature and the extensive discussions held in 2019 regarding financial transparency. These earlier consultations helped shape the current approach.

Guidance and Support

Schools will find updated guidance on the government's website by June 2025, helping them comply with the new regulations. Meanwhile, the Department for Education will continue its usual communication with schools to monitor the implementation of these changes.

Conclusion

This amendment is a step towards greater transparency in school finances, ensuring parents and stakeholders have access to accurate and comprehensive financial data. For schools, the adjustment is straightforward, aiming to streamline financial reporting and enhance public accountability. Keep an eye on school websites for these updates, ensuring you're informed about how your school manages its resources.