Guidance

Re-brokerage of academies

Updated 28 March 2025

Applies to England

You will need to complete some extra lines if any academies have joined or left your trust since September 2024. This will make sure that the right forecast is included.

New converters or newly created academies joining your trust

Between 1 September 2024 and 1 May 2025

Academies that joined your trust between 1 September 2024 and 1 May 2025 should appear on your list of schools included in your BFR.

Enter any balances that correspond to the date of them joining the trust (including actuals, current or forecasts) for the following lines.

For line 999 pupil numbers, you should adjust upwards to account for new pupils joining the trust.

For line 215 revenue surplus on conversion, you should enter:

• revenue surplus received or receivable on conversion from local authorities, for example surpluses received from local authorities on conversion excluding pensions and fixed assets, see line 572
• this as a positive figure, increasing your income

For line 351 revenue deficit on conversion, you should enter:

• revenue deficit payable on conversion from local authorities, for example deficits received from local authorities on conversion excluding pensions and fixed assets
• this as a positive figure, increasing your expenditure

For line 572 capital assets transferred to academy on conversion, you should include:

• the value of capital assets and liabilities received or receivable from local authorities on conversion

These balances will have a contra adjustment. For example, when you record a conversion from a local authority the entries are the:

• conversion income
• conversion expenditure (opposite adjustment)

The former recognises the transfer income and the latter the expenditure to recognise the asset. The budgeting impact is neutral.​

Complete all BFR lines after these, including actuals and forecasts for the relevant periods after the date of transfer​​.

Between 2 May 2025 and 31 August 2025

If an academy joined your trust between 2 May 2025 and 31 August 2025, they should not appear on your list of schools included in your BFR.

You should answer ‘No’ to the question “Is the above information correct?” and provide transfer dates in the comment box in the introduction section.

For line 999 pupil numbers , you should reflect:

• expected pupil numbers that have been officially confirmed to you, from point of transfer or joining
• forecasts for current and future years

For newly created academies, if you have not received confirmation of expected pupil numbers, enter a realistic estimate of pupil numbers which you are basing your DfE income on.

For new converters, if you have not received confirmation of expected pupil numbers from the local authority, do not include the academy in your return.

For line 215 revenue surplus on conversion, you should enter:

• revenue surplus received or receivable on conversion from local authorities, for example surpluses received from local authorities on conversion excluding pensions and fixed assets, see line 572
• this as a positive figure, increasing your income

For line 351 revenue deficit on conversion, you should enter:

• revenue deficit payable on conversion from local authorities, for example deficits received from local authorities on conversion excluding pensions and fixed assets
• this as a positive figure, increasing your expenditure

For line 572 capital assets transferred to academy on conversion, you should include:

• the value of capital assets and liabilities received or receivable from local authorities on conversion

These balances will have a contra adjustment. For example, when you record a conversion from a local authority the entries are the:

• conversion income
• conversion expenditure (opposite adjustment)

The former recognises the transfer income and the later the expenditure to recognise the asset. The budgeting impact is neutral.​

Complete all BFR lines after these including actuals and forecasts for the relevant periods after the date of transfer​​.

For new converters, if you have not received closing balances from the local authority for the period before the conversion, do not include the academy in your return.

Existing academies joining your trust

Between 1 September 2024 and 1 May 2025

Academies that joined your trust between 1 September 2024 and 1 May 2025 should appear on your list of schools included in your BFR.

Enter any balances that correspond to the date of them joining the trust (including actuals, current or forecasts) for the following lines.

For line 999 pupil numbers, you should adjust upwards to account for new pupils joining the trust.

For line 212 revenue surplus transfer of an existing academy into the trust, you should:

• include all revenue surplus received following the transfer of an existing academy into the trust, excluding pensions and fixed assets, see line 573
• enter this as a positive figure where there is a transfer of surplus into the trust, increasing your income

For line 350 revenue deficit transfer of an existing academy into the trust, you should:

• include all revenue deficit payable following the transfer of an existing academy, excluding pensions and fixed assets
• enter this as a positive figure where there is a transfer of deficit into the trust, increasing your expenditure

For line 573 capital assets transferred of an existing academy into the trust, you should:

• include the value of capital assets and liabilities received or receivable following the transfer of an existing academy from another trust
• enter the value of any amount received or receivable as a positive value

Complete all BFR lines after these, including actuals and forecasts for the relevant periods after the date of transfer​​.

Between 2 May 2025 and 31 August 2025

Academies joining your trust between 2 May 2025 and 31 August 2025 should not appear on your list of schools included in your BFR.

You should answer ‘No’ to the question “Is the above information correct?” and provide transfer dates in the comment box in the introduction section.

For line 999 pupil numbers, you should reflect expected pupil numbers that have been officially confirmed to you, from point of transfer and forecast for current and future years.

For line 212 revenue surplus transfer of an existing academy into the trust, you should:

• include all revenue surplus received following the transfer of an existing academy into the trust, excluding pensions and fixed assets, see line 573
• enter this as a positive figure where there is a transfer of surplus into the trust, increasing your income

For line 350 revenue deficit transfer of an existing academy into the trust, you should:

• include all revenue deficit payable following the transfer of an existing academy, excluding pensions and fixed assets
• enter this as a positive figure where there is a transfer of deficit into the trust, increasing your expenditure

For line 573 capital assets transferred of an existing academy into the trust, you should:

• include the value of capital assets and liabilities received or receivable following the transfer of an existing academy from another trust
• enter the value of any amount received or receivable as a positive value

For all other lines, provide realistic forecasts for the current and future years from the point of transfer or joining based on your plans for the academy.

Include any narrative about any anticipated transfers or joiners to your trust, including timescales.

Existing academies leaving your trust

Between 1 September 2024 to 1 May 2025

Academies that left your trust between 1 September 2024 and 1 May 2025 should not appear on your list of schools included in your BFR.

Adjust any balances for the following lines that correspond to the dates they left the trust, including actuals, current or forecasts.

For line 999 pupil numbers, you should adjust downwards to account for pupils leaving the trust.

For line 212 revenue surplus transfer of an existing academy out of the trust, you should:

• adjust all revenue surplus transferable following the transfer of an existing academy out of your trust, excluding pensions and fixed assets
• enter this as a negative figure where there is a transfer of surplus out of the trust, decreasing your income.

For line 350 revenue deficit transfer of an existing academy out of the trust, you should:

• adjust all revenue deficit payable following the transfer of an existing academy, excluding pensions and fixed assets
• enter this as a negative figure where there is a transfer of deficit out of the trust, decreasing your expenditure.

For line 639 capital assets transferred of an existing academy out of the trust, you should:

• adjust the value of capital assets and liabilities payable following the transfer of an existing academy out of the trust.
• enter the value of any amount payable as a negative value

You should now complete all BFR lines actuals and forecasts, excluding the leaving academy’s figures.

Between 2 May 2025 and 31 August 2025

An academy leaving a trust during this period will appear on your list of schools included in your BFR.

You should answer ‘No’ to the question “Is the above information correct?” and provide transfer dates in the comment box in the introduction section.

Include any narrative about any anticipated transfers from your trust, including timescales. 

Adjust any balances for the following lines that correspond to the dates they left the trust, including actuals, current or forecasts.

For line 999 pupil numbers, you should adjust downwards to account for pupils leaving the trust.

For line 212 revenue surplus transfer of an existing academy out of the trust, you should:

• adjust all revenue surplus transferable following the transfer of an existing academy out of your trust, excluding pensions and fixed assets
• enter this as a negative figure where there is a transfer of surplus out of the trust, decreasing your income

For line 350 revenue deficit transfer of an existing academy out of the trust, you should:

• adjust all revenue deficit payable following the transfer of an existing academy, excluding pensions and fixed assets
• enter this as a negative figure where there is a transfer of deficit out of the trust, decreasing your expenditure

For line 639 capital assets transferred of an existing academy out of the trust, you should:

• adjust the value of capital assets and liabilities payable following the transfer of an existing academy out of the trust
• enter the value of any amount payable as a negative value

You should now complete all BFR lines actuals and forecasts, excluding the leaving academy’s figures.

If the transfer out results in a closed trust, leave pupil numbers and forecasts blank for future years.

Academies joining or leaving the trust from 1 September 2025

These are outside of the scope of the BFR 2025.

Treat these as if a transfer is not taking place, unless it has been confirmed. For example, following receipt of financial statements and transfer certificates.