Highfield School: school finances
Tight
Holds £0 in reserve, under 3% of a year's income: little room for surprises.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Wakefield · Not applicable · Foundation 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 | £3.4m | £3.5m | -£140k | £102k | 188 |
2019-20 | £3.5m | £3.6m | -£115k | -£13k | 191 |
2020-21 | £3.7m | £3.6m | +£49k | £36k | 187 |
2021-22 | £3.8m | £3.8m | -£22k | £14k | 190 |
2022-23 | £4.1m | £4.1m | +£36k | £50k | 191 |
2023-24 | £4.8m | £4.8m | -£50k | £0 | 203 |
2024-25 | £5.3m | £5.3m | £0 | £0 | 208 |
2025-26 | £5.7m | £5.7m | £0 | £0 | 210 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 special schools outside London closest in size and in the share of pupils on free school meals. Its reserve, as a share of income, is higher than 7% of them. It spends £27,070 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £26,074.
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 | £10,887 | £9,412 | £8,329–£10,743 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £7,697 | £9,760 | £7,324–£10,882 |
Supply staff | £3,236 | £523 | £201–£1,357 |
Admin and clerical | £926 | £922 | £662–£1,204 |
Premises | £1,267 | £1,273 | £1,047–£1,979 |
Energy | £320 | £327 | £230–£445 |
Learning resources & ICT | £845 | £814 | £454–£1,237 |
Bought-in services | £312 | £454 | £295–£844 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Southall School Healthy
- Cambridge Park Academy Large reserves
- Marshfields School Large reserves
- Cliffdale Primary Academy Large reserves
- Kemball School Healthy
- Manor Academy Sale Large reserves
- Kirkleatham Hall School Large reserves
- Jane Lane School Large reserves
- Bamburgh School Large reserves
- Kingfisher Special School Large reserves
- Firwood High School Large reserves
- Ravenshall School In deficit
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £5.5m | £26,428 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £3.0m | £14,354 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £93k | £441 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £136k | £650 |
Questions to ask the school
Useful for parents, governors and PTA committees.
- What would the school do if costs rose unexpectedly, such as energy or a pay award that isn't fully funded?
- Spending on supply staff is £3,236 a pupil, against a typical £523 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 Highfield School · All Wakefield school finances