The Nelson Thomlinson School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £4.3m, 54% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received. It has spent more than it received for 3 years running.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Cumberland · Secondary · Voluntary controlled 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 | £6.6m | £6.8m | -£166k | -£843k | 1,249 |
2019-20 | £6.9m | £7.0m | -£53k | -£896k | 1,241 |
2020-21 | £7.2m | £7.3m | -£95k | -£991k | 1,263 |
2021-22 | £7.5m | £7.5m | +£22k | -£969k | 1,250 |
2022-23 | £8.0m | £8.0m | +£6k | -£964k | 1,219 |
2023-24 | £8.4m | £8.7m | -£371k | -£1.3m | 1,194 |
2024-25 | £8.5m | £9.5m | -£973k | -£2.3m | 1,160 |
2025-26 | £8.0m | £10.0m | -£2.0m | -£4.3m | 1,098 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 secondary 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 £9,132 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £7,495.
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 | £5,144 | £4,391 | £4,232–£4,560 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,082 | £717 | £559–£904 |
Supply staff | £79 | £43 | £21–£110 |
Admin and clerical | £445 | £444 | £367–£544 |
Premises | £588 | £380 | £299–£452 |
Energy | £140 | £126 | £109–£148 |
Learning resources & ICT | £561 | £532 | £418–£746 |
Bought-in services | £226 | £93 | £53–£142 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- St Edward's Roman Catholic/Church of England School, Poole Large reserves
- The Marlborough Church of England School Large reserves
- The Hayfield School In deficit
- Chenderit School Large reserves
- Kings Langley School Tight
- Saint Michael's Catholic High School Large reserves
- Formby High School Large reserves
- Catmose College Large reserves
- The Burgate School and Sixth Form Large reserves
- Alec Hunter Academy Large reserves
- Amersham School Large reserves
- The Kings of Wessex Academy Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £7.4m | £6,737 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £169k | £154 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £160k | £145 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £596k | £543 |
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?
- 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 bought-in services is £226 a pupil, against a typical £93 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on premises is £588 a pupil, against a typical £380 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on support staff (e.g. tas) is £1,082 a pupil, against a typical £717 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 The Nelson Thomlinson School · All Cumberland school finances