Castlefield School: school finances
Healthy
Holds £123k in reserve, 4% of a year's income. It has spent more than it received for 3 years, so watch the trend.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Buckinghamshire · Primary · Foundation 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 | £2.9m | +£195k | £284k | 583 |
2019-20 | £2.9m | £2.9m | +£42k | £326k | 520 |
2020-21 | £2.9m | £2.9m | -£56k | £269k | 490 |
2021-22 | £2.8m | £2.9m | -£138k | £131k | 465 |
2022-23 | £2.9m | £2.8m | +£72k | £204k | 446 |
2023-24 | £2.9m | £2.9m | -£11k | £193k | 444 |
2024-25 | £3.1m | £3.1m | -£10k | £182k | 429 |
2025-26 | £3.1m | £3.2m | -£60k | £123k | 420 |
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 47% of them. It spends £7,599 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £6,653.
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 | £3,993 | £3,111 | £2,983–£3,380 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,308 | £1,306 | £1,183–£1,459 |
Supply staff | £0 | £109 | £25–£241 |
Admin and clerical | £486 | £292 | £232–£336 |
Premises | £281 | £329 | £277–£424 |
Energy | £68 | £100 | £73–£126 |
Learning resources & ICT | £175 | £239 | £184–£324 |
Bought-in services | £158 | £121 | £62–£205 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Birchington Church of England Primary School Large reserves
- Kidgate Academy Heading for deficit
- The Palmer Primary Academy Healthy
- Heathfield Primary School Healthy
- Robert Shaw Primary and Nursery School Healthy
- St Leonards Church of England Primary Academy Healthy
- Spotland Primary Academy Tight
- Burnt Tree Primary School Tight
- Ecclesfield Primary School Tight
- Wyndham Spencer Academy Large reserves
- Gleadless Primary School Tight
- Calshot Primary School Healthy
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £3.0m | £7,168 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £124k | £295 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £212k | £506 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £121k | £289 |
Questions to ask the school
Useful for parents, governors and PTA committees.
- Pupil numbers have fallen 28% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on admin and clerical is £486 a pupil, against a typical £292 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on teachers is £3,993 a pupil, against a typical £3,111 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 Castlefield School · All Buckinghamshire school finances