Bishop Wilson Church of England Primary School: school finances
Heading for deficit
Has spent more than it received for 2 years running; at that rate its £20k reserve runs out in about 3 years.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Cheshire West and Chester · Primary · Voluntary aided 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 | £456k | £451k | +£6k | -£94k | 75 |
2019-20 | £465k | £460k | +£5k | -£89k | 73 |
2020-21 | £477k | £439k | +£38k | -£50k | 77 |
2021-22 | £567k | £485k | +£82k | £32k | 75 |
2022-23 | £553k | £545k | +£8k | £39k | 77 |
2023-24 | £576k | £539k | +£38k | £77k | 70 |
2024-25 | £595k | £613k | -£19k | £58k | 61 |
2025-26 | £572k | £611k | -£38k | £20k | 66 |
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 27% of them. It spends £9,256 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £9,212.
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 | £4,377 | £4,331 | £3,850–£4,767 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,173 | £1,399 | £960–£1,839 |
Supply staff | £409 | £146 | £56–£409 |
Admin and clerical | £563 | £542 | £422–£630 |
Premises | £1,160 | £499 | £370–£653 |
Energy | £228 | £150 | £111–£205 |
Learning resources & ICT | £201 | £422 | £318–£587 |
Bought-in services | £289 | £243 | £137–£505 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Wrightington Tight
- Hockliffe Lower School In deficit
- Turnditch Church of England Primary School Large reserves
- Welshampton CofE Primary School Large reserves
- Barlow Church of England Primary School Healthy
- Sires Hill Primary Academy Large reserves
- Horton St Michael's CofE First School Large reserves
- Rodmarton Primary School In deficit
- Brindle St James' Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Healthy
- Sundon Lower School Large reserves
- Halam Church of England Primary School Large reserves
- Rosley CofE School Healthy
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £516k | £7,814 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £16k | £238 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £2k | £23 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £57k | £859 |
Money raised by parents
BISHOP WILSON SCHOOL PARENT TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (charity 1024340, Registered) raised £5k in its latest year.
| Year ending | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
2026-09 | £5k | £4k |
2025-09 | £5k | £688 |
2024-09 | £4k | £6k |
2023-09 | £6k | £2k |
2022-09 | £6k | £4k |
Matched to this school by name and postcode from the Charity Commission register. Parent associations' money isn't in the school's accounts above.
Questions to ask the school
Useful for parents, governors and PTA committees.
- What is the plan to stop spending more than the school receives each year?
- Pupil numbers have fallen 12% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on premises is £1,160 a pupil, against a typical £499 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on energy is £228 a pupil, against a typical £150 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- How does the school decide what the money the parents' association raises is spent on?
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 Bishop Wilson Church of England Primary School · All Cheshire West and Chester school finances