Buckingham Primary School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £230k, 7% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received. It has spent more than it received for 4 years running.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Buckinghamshire · 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 | -£11k | -£35k | 463 |
2019-20 | £2.5m | £2.5m | +£37k | £2k | 426 |
2020-21 | £2.2m | £2.1m | +£86k | £88k | 372 |
2021-22 | £2.3m | £2.3m | +£22k | £110k | 382 |
2022-23 | £2.5m | £2.5m | -£15k | £95k | 368 |
2023-24 | £2.9m | £3.0m | -£139k | -£44k | 359 |
2024-25 | £2.9m | £3.1m | -£130k | -£174k | 358 |
2025-26 | £3.4m | £3.4m | -£56k | -£230k | 354 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 primary 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 0% of them. It spends £9,736 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £6,546.
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 | £3,440 | £3,189 | £2,990–£3,396 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,363 | £1,236 | £989–£1,614 |
Supply staff | £349 | £128 | £60–£238 |
Admin and clerical | £526 | £314 | £260–£378 |
Premises | £587 | £318 | £277–£392 |
Energy | £137 | £88 | £81–£104 |
Learning resources & ICT | £308 | £294 | £228–£363 |
Bought-in services | £161 | £132 | £63–£163 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Standens Barn Primary School Large reserves
- Horsford CofE VA Primary School Large reserves
- Warwick Road Primary School Healthy
- Long Meadow School In deficit
- Field Court Junior School Healthy
- Crigglestone Dane Royd Junior and Infant School Heading for deficit
- Ellison Primary Academy Healthy
- Padnell Junior School Large reserves
- Rivelin Primary School Healthy
- St Gabriel's Catholic Primary School Large reserves
- Ferndown First School Tight
- Ladybridge Community Primary School Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £2.7m | £7,758 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £77k | £218 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £115k | £324 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £644k | £1,818 |
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 24% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on supply staff is £349 a pupil, against a typical £128 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on premises is £587 a pupil, against a typical £318 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on admin and clerical is £526 a pupil, against a typical £314 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 Buckingham Primary School · All Buckinghamshire school finances