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    Leveraging data and insights in UK MATs with Sisra Analytics

    Independent assurance that strengthens trust, compliance and leadership decisions

    Our Internal Scrutiny service provides clear, independent oversight that helps your Trust identify risk, improve governance, and meet your compliance obligations with confidence.

    What school leaders are facing

    “Governance is more scrutinised than ever - but we don’t have the capacity to check everything ourselves.” 

    MATs, SATs and maintained schools often lack internal time or expertise to conduct thorough reviews, especially when stretched across multiple sites. 

    Whether it’s a budget compliance check or a full trust-wide review, we help schools and Trusts take a proactive, purposeful approach to internal scrutiny. 

    Schedule a consultation

    Meet some of your Internal Scrutiny team

    Every school has different risks, different budgets, different systems, we tailor our approach every time.

    We work with Trusts across the UK - from smaller academies with emerging structures to larger MATs needing multi-site sampling and consistency across policies.  

    Carly Quick Crockford

    Internal Scrutiny &

    Consultancy Manager

    Carly Quick Crockford svg

    Since joining the Juniper Education Team in 2019, Carly has dedicated six years to enhancing the organisation’s financial and operational integrity. With 20 years of experience in finance, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role.

    Read Carly's bio

    Rachael Langdale

    Senior Consultant

    Internal Scrutiny Specialist

    Rachael Langdale

    Rachael began her career in Internal Scrutiny with Essex County Council in 2009 and became part of the Juniper Education team when the service was acquired. With over 16 years of experience in the field, she now works as a Senior Consultant.

    Read Rachael's bio

    What sets Juniper Internal Scrutiny apart?

    Independent review that’s supportive, not judgmental and always sector-specific. 

    What's included:

    ✓  Review of financial systems, processes and documentation. 

    ✓  Sample testing of procurement, budgeting, and spending. 

    ✓  Assessment of compliance with Academy Trust Handbook (ATH) and internal policies. 

    ✓  Responsible Officer checks for maintained schools. 

    ✓ Clear, jargon-free written reports with practical recommendations. 

    ✓ Remote and onsite delivery options.

     

    Delivered remotely or in person, our reviews are accessible to schools and Trusts nationwide. Wherever you're based, you’ll have access to dedicated consultants who understand your context, funding model, and regulatory requirements. 

     

    All reviews are tailored to your context, experience level and areas of risk, whether that’s across your MAT, or within an individual school. 

    Schedule a consultation

    Non-Financial audits and reviews covered

    We go beyond the basics, offering 50+ in-depth, non-financial audits and reviews across key areas such as Data, Education, Estates, Human Resources, Risk Management, and more.

    View the complete list

    What do schools think of Juniper's Internal Scrutiny?

    Helping Trusts stay accountable, efficient, and inspection-ready. 

    We are in the process of using the Juniper Internal Scrutiny service to assess the financial controls across our 16 academies. The service provided is professional, the reviews being carried out are thorough, and the reports we have received to date have been highly informative. I would definitely recommend.
    CFO Epping Forest Schools Partnership Trust
    We have used the Internal Audit Service from Juniper for several years and have always been impressed with the way that the service is conducted. As an academy trust we are required to be suitably challenged to ensure that our procedures match our financial regulations and the academy financial handbook.
    CEO Eveleigh Link Academy Trust
    Juniper provided a comprehensive solution to our needs; we continue to use Juniper year after year.
    Dave Richardson Trust Project Manager, Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust

    Schools choose us because we're experts in Internal Scrutiny

    ✓  Sector-specific expertise with education funding and finance. 

    ✓  Reports you can use - not just tick-box summaries. 

    ✓  Designed to align with your governance cycle and Trust priorities. 

    ✓  Supports both compliance and strategic improvement. 

    ✓  Fully integrated with our wider services across HR, Finance and Governance 

    ✓ Remote and onsite delivery options.

    We don’t just assess what’s working. We help make what’s not, better. 

    Schedule a consultation

    Who it's for

    ✓  Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) needing full annual internal scrutiny. 

    ✓  Standalone academies preparing for external audit. 

    ✓  Maintained schools requiring Responsible Officer checks. 

    ✓  Trusts seeking a more strategic, joined-up view of financial health. 

    If you need independent insight, tailored to the education sector, we’re here. 

    Schedule a consultation

    Free resources

    All free to download, designed by our consultants, and ready to use.

    mat leaders

    Why It's Essential to Review Your School Policies

     

    → Read blog

    Hr Policies and Procedures guide

    How to prepare for an Ofsted inspection

     

     

    → Read blog

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    Ensuring Compliance and Financial Accountability in Multi-Academy Trusts

    → Read blog

    Trusted nationwide

    Used by schools and Trusts across the UK.

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    Find out how Sonar Multi-School can support your MAT

    • Holistic trust-wide insights
    • Target interventions for improved pupil achievement
    • Highlight areas for strategic Continued Professional Development (CPD)  

      

    Providing real solutions for all of your risk related challenges

    Our professionally qualified experts offer a breadth of internal scrutiny and risk management solutions. 

    • Support with site security, health & safety and critical incident planning
    • Assess all financial processes, including financial governance and reporting
    • Ofsted inspection preparation and mock reviews
    • Our experts will help you navigate, understand, and manage risk in your school or Trust

    Integrated support

    Stronger when combined with finance and HR.

    Our Internal Scrutiny service works seamlessly alongside our Finance Managed services, HR consultancy, and governance tools, giving you a joined-up, strategic view of your school or Trust’s operations.  

    It’s important to know that when Internal Scrutiny carries out audits, it’s completely independent and impartial. Even if your school or trust uses other Juniper finance services - like payroll or budget support - Internal Scrutiny remains entirely separate.

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