Sound and District Primary School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £254k, 26% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received. It has spent more than it received for 5 years running.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Cheshire East · 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 | £654k | £648k | +£7k | £31k | 136 |
2019-20 | £733k | £750k | -£17k | £14k | 149 |
2020-21 | £791k | £762k | +£29k | £43k | 138 |
2021-22 | £780k | £823k | -£43k | £270 | 140 |
2022-23 | £840k | £869k | -£29k | -£29k | 137 |
2023-24 | £844k | £936k | -£91k | -£120k | 138 |
2024-25 | £938k | £983k | -£45k | -£166k | 139 |
2025-26 | £986k | £1.1m | -£88k | -£254k | 138 |
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 £7,781 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £6,720.
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 | £3,766 | £3,338 | £3,123–£3,740 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,067 | £1,165 | £875–£1,479 |
Supply staff | £186 | £132 | £45–£237 |
Admin and clerical | £379 | £325 | £270–£454 |
Premises | £426 | £311 | £226–£378 |
Energy | £241 | £109 | £85–£138 |
Learning resources & ICT | £318 | £321 | £281–£427 |
Bought-in services | £175 | £185 | £63–£311 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Broughton Primary School Tight
- Balcombe Cofe Primary School Healthy
- Preshute Church of England Primary School Healthy
- All Saints Church of England Academy Heading for deficit
- Springfields First School Large reserves
- Bressingham Primary School Large reserves
- Appleton Church of England (A) Primary School In deficit
- St Nicholas Church of England Primary School Large reserves
- North Waltham Primary School Tight
- Radwinter Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Tight
- Bathford Church School In deficit
- The Elton CofE Primary School of the Foundation of Frances and Jane Proby Healthy
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £916k | £6,636 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £67k | £484 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £25k | £178 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £70k | £506 |
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 energy is £241 a pupil, against a typical £109 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on premises is £426 a pupil, against a typical £311 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 Sound and District Primary School · All Cheshire East school finances