Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS): summary

Maintained schools must complete the SFVS every year. Read a rundown of what it covers, so you know what to expect.

Last reviewed on 21 January 2026See updates
School types: MaintainedSchool phases: AllRef: 4128
Contents
  1. What is the SFVS?
  2. Summary of the SFVS checklist sections
  3. Completing the checklist 
  4. Using the DfE's financial benchmarking and insights tool

What is the SFVS?

The Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS) is a requirement for all maintained schools (including pupil referral units), who must submit it to their local authority (LA) every year.

It includes a related party transaction form, which should be completed and appended to your SFVS form on submission.

The SFVS provides your governing board with assurance that your school meets the standards necessary to achieve a good level of financial health and resource management.

It must be agreed by the full governing board and signed by the chair, and submitted before the end of the financial year (as per section 4.16 of the statutory guidance on schemes for financing schools) – but schools should check whether their LA has set a specific deadline, which can be slightly earlier

Summary of the SFVS checklist