---
title: Key Aspects of Academy Budget Setting
description: With budget season looming, academies are struggling to cope with unprecedented financial pressures. Having effective budgets which align with your long-term goals and objectives, enable schools to prioritise the children who are at the heart of it all.
image: https://blog.isbl.org.uk/hubfs/Edufin_Logo_Coloured.png
---

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# Key Aspects of Academy Budget Setting

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 Edufin  
March 3, 2026

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Building stronger academy budgets despite growing financial pressures.

With budget season looming, academies are struggling to cope with unprecedented financial pressures. Having effective budgets which align with your long-term goals and objectives, enable schools to prioritise the children who are at the heart of it all.

## Main considerations when setting your budget:

**Income:** Updated pupil numbers and other grants plus self-generated income streams.

**Staff:** in-line with requirements, timetabling and ICFP, salary uplifts and apprenticeship levy.

**Annual contracts & subscriptions:** review using the contracts register and historical spending.

**Curriculum resources:** use a bid led process to target resources.

**School Development Plan:** ensure budgets reflect priority areas.

**Premises:** review the Asset Management Plan and include essential repair work.

**Capital:** consider DFC spend and if any revenue contributions are needed towards capital projects and any contributions required for potential CIF bids/Trust SCA allocations.

**Inflation:** based on sector guidance.

It’s a daunting task, but taking a systematic approach will deliver a budget that supports an environment in which your pupils can flourish.

## A budget setting lifeline

With over 80 years of combined Academy specific finance experience, EduFin can help Schools and Trusts to set and manage budgets effectively. [Get in touch](https://www.edufin.co.uk/contact-us) to learn more.

![Edufin](https://blog.isbl.org.uk/hubfs/Edufin_Logo_Coloured.png)

Edufin

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