The Department for Education has lifted the notice to improve relating to governance and financial management at Dorrington Academy Trust, effective 16 December 2025. The lifting letter was published on 9 January 2026 and confirms the trust has taken the required actions. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-to-improve-dorrington-academy-trust))
Addressed to chair Michael Wingrove, the letter confirms the notice is lifted with immediate effect and thanks the accounting officer and leadership team for their work. It is co‑signed by Sue Lovelock, Regional Director for the West Midlands, and Lindsey Henning, Director of Schools Financial Support and Oversight. ([assets.publishing.service.gov.uk](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69610340a02fd76bbbc117aa/NtI_Dorrington_Academy_Trust_lifting_letter.pdf))
The department’s conditions covered timely statutory financial returns, an effective and compliant governance structure, implementation of a robust procurement policy, advance approval for transactions previously subject to revoked freedoms, notification of all board meetings with agendas and minutes, commissioning an independent review of management and governance, and a Schools Resource Management Adviser deployment. DfE states these actions have been completed. ([assets.publishing.service.gov.uk](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69610340a02fd76bbbc117aa/NtI_Dorrington_Academy_Trust_lifting_letter.pdf))
The original notice, issued on 6 November 2024 and later published on 28 February 2025, followed an ESFA investigation into financial management. DfE cited irregular expenditure and weaknesses in related‑party transaction oversight, alongside a failure to notify or seek approval for an off‑payroll chief financial officer arrangement. The notice also recorded breaches across successive editions of the Academies Financial Handbook and the Academy Trust Handbook. ([assets.publishing.service.gov.uk](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67c1d842750837d7604dbd36/Notice_to_improve_-_Dorrington_Academy_Trust.pdf))
Under the Academy Trust Handbook, a notice to improve can revoke delegated authorities, including approval for special staff severance payments, compensation payments, debt write‑offs, certain asset disposals and guarantees. When a notice is lifted, DfE restores any removed delegated authorities and publishes a letter confirming closure; the trust may then remove the notice from its website. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academy-trust-handbook/academy-trust-handbook-2025-effective-from-1-september-2025?utm_source=openai))
For Dorrington Academy Trust, lifting the notice signals a return to standard approval routes under the handbook and the funding agreement, while maintaining strengthened procurement practice, timely returns and transparent board oversight. DfE underlines that sustaining these controls is essential to preserve strong financial oversight. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academy-trust-handbook/academy-trust-handbook-2025-effective-from-1-september-2025?utm_source=openai))
Key dates for practitioners: the notice was issued on 6 November 2024; published on GOV.UK on 28 February 2025; lifted on 16 December 2025; and the lifting letter was published on 9 January 2026. ([assets.publishing.service.gov.uk](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67c1d842750837d7604dbd36/Notice_to_improve_-_Dorrington_Academy_Trust.pdf))