The Helix Education Centre: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £142k, 6% 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). Harrow · Not applicable · Pupil referral unit.
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 | £1.8m | £1.7m | +£146k | £53k | 49 |
2019-20 | £1.9m | £1.6m | +£220k | £273k | 50 |
2020-21 | £1.7m | £1.6m | +£136k | £409k | 32 |
2021-22 | £1.9m | £1.7m | +£166k | £575k | 37 |
2022-23 | £1.8m | £1.8m | +£7k | £582k | 50 |
2023-24 | £2.0m | £1.9m | +£17k | £599k | 55 |
2024-25 | £2.3m | £2.4m | -£89k | £510k | 68 |
2025-26 | £2.4m | £3.1m | -£652k | -£142k | 72 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 alternative-provision 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 20% of them. It spends £42,398 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £44,221.
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 | £13,003 | £19,768 | £15,455–£25,582 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £7,002 | £6,549 | £4,598–£9,694 |
Supply staff | £4,021 | £2,149 | £1,063–£4,330 |
Admin and clerical | £2,368 | £2,706 | £1,462–£4,024 |
Premises | £1,529 | £2,009 | £1,056–£3,080 |
Energy | £237 | £537 | £325–£690 |
Learning resources & ICT | £653 | £1,353 | £883–£2,503 |
Bought-in services | £11,722 | £2,106 | £1,060–£4,058 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- The Skills Hub Large reserves
- Orchardside School Heading for deficit
- Ealing Alternative Provision Tight
- Tunmarsh School In deficit
- Beacon Business Innovation Hub Large reserves
- Horizons Academy Bexley Large reserves
- Saffron Valley Collegiate Tight
- Wandsworth Hospital and Home Tuition Service Healthy
- New Directions In deficit
- Brent River College Tight
- New River College Secondary In deficit
- London East Alternative Provision In deficit
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £2.1m | £29,520 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £19k | £257 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £295k | £4,093 |
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?
- Spending on bought-in services is £11,722 a pupil, against a typical £2,106 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 The Helix Education Centre · All Harrow school finances