George Tomlinson Primary School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £467k, 11% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Waltham Forest · 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 | £3.1m | £3.2m | -£125k | -£166k | 468 |
2019-20 | £3.0m | £3.1m | -£113k | -£279k | 458 |
2020-21 | £2.8m | £3.1m | -£259k | -£538k | 444 |
2021-22 | £2.9m | £3.1m | -£116k | -£654k | 452 |
2022-23 | £3.2m | £3.2m | -£38k | -£691k | 466 |
2023-24 | £3.5m | £3.4m | +£84k | -£607k | 479 |
2024-25 | £3.8m | £3.7m | +£77k | -£530k | 520 |
2025-26 | £4.2m | £4.2m | +£63k | -£467k | 535 |
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 10% of them. It spends £7,805 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £7,409.
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 | £3,211 | £3,377 | £3,189–£3,636 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,097 | £1,306 | £1,053–£1,637 |
Supply staff | £126 | £114 | £50–£235 |
Admin and clerical | £434 | £329 | £267–£421 |
Premises | £502 | £371 | £295–£456 |
Energy | £117 | £95 | £83–£117 |
Learning resources & ICT | £117 | £252 | £222–£303 |
Bought-in services | £598 | £189 | £86–£375 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Stewart Fleming Primary School Healthy
- Lovelace Primary School Healthy
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Large reserves
- Castle Hill Primary School Large reserves
- Parish Church of England Primary School Large reserves
- St George's Catholic Primary School In deficit
- Oak Farm Primary School In deficit
- Churchfields Junior School Large reserves
- St Mary's CofE Primary School Heading for deficit
- Roe Green Junior School Tight
- St Raphael's Catholic Primary School Large reserves
- Marlborough Primary School In deficit
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £3.7m | £6,985 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £269k | £502 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £106k | £199 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £507k | £947 |
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 £598 a pupil, against a typical £189 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on premises is £502 a pupil, against a typical £371 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 George Tomlinson Primary School · All Waltham Forest school finances