Pelham Primary School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £138k, 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). Merton · Primary · Community 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 | £2.5m | £2.5m | -£40k | -£38k | 421 |
2019-20 | £2.5m | £2.5m | +£35k | -£3k | 412 |
2020-21 | £2.5m | £2.6m | -£18k | -£21k | 394 |
2021-22 | £2.8m | £2.9m | -£112k | -£133k | 386 |
2022-23 | £3.0m | £2.9m | +£87k | -£46k | 412 |
2023-24 | £3.2m | £3.2m | +£610 | -£45k | 424 |
2024-25 | £3.6m | £3.6m | -£53k | -£98k | 383 |
2025-26 | £3.7m | £3.7m | -£40k | -£138k | 386 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 primary 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 17% of them. It spends £9,679 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £7,602.
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 | £4,434 | £3,516 | £3,219–£3,770 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,680 | £1,344 | £1,094–£1,526 |
Supply staff | £113 | £132 | £69–£250 |
Admin and clerical | £572 | £323 | £242–£392 |
Premises | £343 | £394 | £297–£442 |
Energy | £125 | £108 | £71–£125 |
Learning resources & ICT | £276 | £263 | £233–£388 |
Bought-in services | £532 | £311 | £132–£443 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- The Belham Primary School Healthy
- Twickenham Primary Academy Large reserves
- Paxton Primary School In deficit
- St John Fisher Catholic Primary School Healthy
- St Andrew's CofE Primary School In deficit
- Eliot Bank Primary School In deficit
- St Mark's Church of England Primary School Large reserves
- Southfield Primary School Large reserves
- Harris Primary Academy Shortlands Healthy
- Dalmain Primary School In deficit
- Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School Healthy
- St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Isleworth Healthy
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £3.0m | £7,870 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £254k | £658 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £70k | £181 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £659k | £1,706 |
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 8% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on admin and clerical is £572 a pupil, against a typical £323 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on bought-in services is £532 a pupil, against a typical £311 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on teachers is £4,434 a pupil, against a typical £3,516 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 Pelham Primary School · All Merton school finances