St Columba's School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £186k, 12% 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). Westmorland and Furness · 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 | £975k | £983k | -£8k | £72k | 218 |
2019-20 | £1.1m | £1.1m | -£25k | £47k | 228 |
2020-21 | £1.1m | £1.1m | +£11k | £58k | 218 |
2021-22 | £1.1m | £1.1m | +£38k | £96k | 215 |
2022-23 | £1.2m | £1.2m | -£76k | £20k | 203 |
2023-24 | £1.3m | £1.3m | -£76k | -£56k | 218 |
2024-25 | £1.4m | £1.5m | -£92k | -£148k | 216 |
2025-26 | £1.5m | £1.5m | -£38k | -£186k | 212 |
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 £7,230 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £6,181.
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 | £3,219 | £3,012 | £2,897–£3,194 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,722 | £1,143 | £931–£1,443 |
Supply staff | £65 | £72 | £10–£195 |
Admin and clerical | £303 | £301 | £264–£348 |
Premises | £295 | £300 | £279–£362 |
Energy | £85 | £98 | £81–£120 |
Learning resources & ICT | £322 | £282 | £211–£382 |
Bought-in services | £153 | £123 | £88–£215 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Chartridge Combined School Healthy
- Forsbrook CofE Controlled Primary School Large reserves
- Leigh Academy High Halstow Large reserves
- Frettenham Primary School Large reserves
- Kingston Primary School Healthy
- St Rose's Catholic Infant School Large reserves
- Totley All Saints Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Healthy
- Bottesford Infant School In deficit
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Large reserves
- Parkside Community Primary School Tight
- Joydens Wood Infant School Large reserves
- Lower Peover CofE Primary School Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £1.4m | £6,689 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £156k | £734 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £45k | £210 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £77k | £363 |
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 support staff (e.g. tas) is £1,722 a pupil, against a typical £1,143 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 St Columba's School · All Westmorland and Furness school finances