West Cumbria Learning Centre: school finances
Tight
Holds £44k 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). Cumberland · Not applicable · Pupil referral unit.
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 | -£96k | £112k | 101 |
2019-20 | £2.5m | £2.6m | -£76k | £36k | 89 |
2020-21 | £2.6m | £2.3m | +£269k | £304k | 76 |
2021-22 | £2.6m | £2.4m | +£210k | £514k | 64 |
2022-23 | £2.5m | £2.8m | -£366k | £149k | 65 |
2023-24 | £2.6m | £2.7m | -£102k | £47k | 71 |
2024-25 | £3.0m | £2.8m | +£196k | £242k | 68 |
2025-26 | £2.9m | £3.1m | -£198k | £44k | 81 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 alternative-provision 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 10% of them. It spends £38,249 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £29,944.
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 | £16,895 | £12,436 | £10,582–£16,229 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £5,489 | £5,752 | £3,660–£9,112 |
Supply staff | £5,369 | £976 | £111–£1,999 |
Admin and clerical | £3,044 | £1,709 | £1,172–£2,238 |
Premises | £1,869 | £1,095 | £911–£1,671 |
Energy | £371 | £376 | £236–£515 |
Learning resources & ICT | £1,323 | £1,487 | £935–£1,847 |
Bought-in services | £70 | £1,274 | £635–£2,496 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Willow Vale School In deficit
- The Forum Centre Large reserves
- Victory Park Academy Large reserves
- Rise Carr College Healthy
- iCollege Alternative Provision Healthy
- Continu Plus Academy Healthy
- OA - Thurrock Large reserves
- Trafford Alternative Education Provision Healthy
- The Acorns School In deficit
- Herefordshire Pupil Referral Service Large reserves
- The Venn Boulevard Centre Healthy
- Titan St Georges Academy Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £2.8m | £34,698 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £35k | £427 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £90k | £1,110 |
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?
- Pupil numbers have fallen 20% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on supply staff is £5,369 a pupil, against a typical £976 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on admin and clerical is £3,044 a pupil, against a typical £1,709 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on premises is £1,869 a pupil, against a typical £1,095 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 West Cumbria Learning Centre · All Cumberland school finances