Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) for Academy Trusts - Membership Rules - September 2024

Sep 1, 2026

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Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) membership rules for academy trusts and multi-academy trusts define a voluntary government-backed mechanism effective from 1 September 2014. The scheme is not an insurance product, and covers specified costs arising from defined risks, subject to cover conditions, exclusions, and claim guidelines. The document explains membership entry and exit processes, governance and jurisdiction under England and Wales law, funding deductions, and key clarifications made since the prior 1 September 2023 rules version.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatDOCX

Pages123

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Summary of Cover provided by RPA

Miscellaneous Rules and Provisions

Definitions

Section 1 – Material Damage

Section 2 – Business Interruption

Section 1 and 2 Exclusions

Section 3 – Employers’ Liability

Section 4 – Third Party Public Liability

Section 5 – Governors’ Liability

Section 6 – Professional Indemnity

Section 7 – Employee and Third Party Dishonesty

Section 8 – Money

Section 9 – Personal Accident

Section 10 – United Kingdom Travel

Section 11 – Overseas Travel (Non United Kingdom)

Section 12 – Legal Expenses

Section 13 – Cultural Assets

Section 14 – Cyber

General Exclusion

Claims Guidelines

Risk protection arrangement (RPA) for academy trusts Membership rules September 2024 Contents TOC \o "1-1" \h \z \u HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298940" Introduction PAGEREF _Toc175298940 \h 3 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298941" Summary of Cover provided by RPA PAGEREF _Toc175298941 \h 4 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298942" Miscellaneous Rules and Provisions PAGEREF _Toc175298942 \h 7 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298943" Definitions PAGEREF _Toc175298943 \h 12 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298944" Section 1 – Material Damage PAGEREF _Toc175298944 \h 21 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298945" Section 2 – Business Interruption PAGEREF _Toc175298945 \h 30 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298946" Section 1 and 2 Exclusions PAGEREF _Toc175298946 \h 35 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298947" Section 3 – Employers’ Liability PAGEREF _Toc175298947 \h 41 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298948" Section 4 – Third Party Public Liability PAGEREF _Toc175298948 \h 48 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298949" Section 5 – Governors’ Liability PAGEREF _Toc175298949 \h 62 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298950" Section 6 – Professional Indemnity PAGEREF _Toc175298950 \h 66 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298951" Section 7 – Employee and Third Party Dishonesty PAGEREF _Toc175298951 \h 69 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298952" Section 8 – Money PAGEREF _Toc175298952 \h 72 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298953" Section 9 – Personal Accident PAGEREF _Toc175298953 \h 74 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298954" Section 10 – United Kingdom Travel PAGEREF _Toc175298954 \h 76 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298955" Section 11 – Overseas Travel (Non United Kingdom) Travel Expense, including winter sports PAGEREF _Toc175298955 \h 80 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298956" Section 12 – Legal Expenses PAGEREF _Toc175298956 \h 98 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298957" Section 13 – Cultural Assets PAGEREF _Toc175298957 \h 102 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298958" Section 14 – Cyber PAGEREF _Toc175298958 \h 110 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298959" General Exclusion PAGEREF _Toc175298959 \h 115 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc175298960" Claims Guidelines PAGEREF _Toc175298960 \h 116 Introduction The Department for Education’s (DfE’s) Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) is a voluntary arrangement for academies and free schools effective from 1 September 2014. The RPA is not an insurance scheme but is a mechanism through which the cost of risks that materialise from 1 September 2014 will be covered by government funds. All academy trusts and multi-academy trusts can opt in to the RPA. This includes free schools, schools designated with a religious character that are academies, special academies, alternative provision academies, UTCs, studio and PFI Academies. Changes to the RPA Membership Rules The changes to the RPA Membership Rules since the previous version of the Rules were published 1 September 2023 can be summarised as follows: Clarification under Miscellaneous Rules and Provisions 2. Membership ix) regarding surveys, health and safety reviews and management questionnaires Clarification that the definition of Vermin under section 1 (Material Damage) and section 2 (Business Interruption) includes insects Clarification that RPA cover under section 1 (Material Damage) and section 2 (business Interruption) does not apply to loss or damage to Property (including contract works) where the Member has entered into a contract with a third party that obliges the Member to arrange insurance for the Property on behalf of any third party or in joint names with the third party and / or arrange for a waiver of subrogation in favour of the third party under this RPA in relation to any damage the third party may cause to the Property. Clarification under exclusions 6 of Section 1 and 2 Exclusions includes property attached to the exterior of any Building caused by wind, rain, hail etc Clarification that Section 12 (Legal Expenses) excludes a risk that is insured Clarification that Section 12 (Legal Expenses) includes

FAQs

What is the RPA for academy trusts, and when does it take effect?

The Department for Education’s Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) is a voluntary arrangement effective from 1 September 2014. It covers specified risks through government funds rather than operating as an insurance scheme.

How can an academy trust become a member of the RPA and what happens to funding?

An academy trust or multi-academy trust can opt in by giving notice to the RPA Administrator to join with effect from a later date. While in membership, £25 per pupil (per place in special and AP academies) is deducted at source from the General Annual Grant, remaining unchanged until 31 August 2025.

What are key membership rule exclusions and clarifications included in the September 2024 version?

The rules clarify how certain definitions (such as Vermin) apply, and where specific cover does not apply, including parts of Property coverage tied to third-party contracts and exterior property attached to buildings caused by wind, rain, or hail. The rules also clarify that Legal Expenses exclude insured risks and can include indemnity for independent review panels.

Sep 1, 2026

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