Royal Free Hospital Children's School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £60k, 4% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received. It has spent more than it received for 2 years running.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Camden · Not applicable · Community special school.
Reserve at the end of each year, 2018-19 to 2025-26
Income and spending, 2018-19 to 2025-26
Income Spending
Show the figures as a table
| Year | Income | Spending | Balance | Reserve | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018-19 | £759k | £715k | +£44k | £126k | 194 |
2019-20 | £749k | £864k | -£116k | £10k | 195 |
2020-21 | £980k | £992k | -£12k | -£2k | 76 |
2021-22 | £1.1m | £1.0m | +£98k | £96k | 78 |
2022-23 | £1.3m | £1.2m | +£75k | £171k | 81 |
2023-24 | £1.4m | £1.4m | +£49k | £221k | 110 |
2024-25 | £1.6m | £1.6m | -£282 | £220k | 76 |
2025-26 | £1.5m | £1.7m | -£280k | -£60k | 48 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 special schools in London closest in size and in the share of pupils on free school meals. Its reserve, as a share of income, is higher than 0% of them. It spends £36,326 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £41,175.
This school Middle half of similar schools Similar schools’ median
Show the comparison as a table
| Spending per pupil | This school | Similar schools (median) | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|
Teachers | £18,791 | £13,729 | £12,061–£19,608 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £0 | £10,299 | £5,441–£16,512 |
Supply staff | £4,454 | £1,919 | £197–£4,899 |
Admin and clerical | £6,548 | £1,649 | £981–£2,527 |
Premises | £1,582 | £1,869 | £1,281–£2,535 |
Energy | £0 | £614 | £460–£904 |
Learning resources & ICT | £1,280 | £935 | £613–£1,410 |
Bought-in services | £1,797 | £979 | £454–£3,386 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Spring School Large reserves
- The Windmill School Healthy
- Marlborough School Healthy
- Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children Large reserves
- Phoenix Arch School Large reserves
- Wembley Manor Large reserves
- Marjorie McClure School Tight
- Greenmead School Tight
- Woodlands School Large reserves
- Maudsley and Bethlem Hospital School Large reserves
- Pinn River School Large reserves
- Capella House School Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £1.4m | £30,190 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £16k | £336 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £14k | £296 |
Questions to ask the school
Useful for parents, governors and PTA committees.
- Is there a deficit recovery plan agreed with the council, and when does the school expect to be back in balance?
- What has been cut or changed to close the gap, and how does that affect classes and support staff?
- Pupil numbers have fallen 75% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on admin and clerical is £6,548 a pupil, against a typical £1,649 for similar schools. What's behind that?
Check these figures
Every figure here comes from the school's published return to the DfE. Check it on the DfE benchmarking page for this school, and see how the status is worked out.
Admissions, Ofsted and results for Royal Free Hospital Children's School · All Camden school finances