Bidwell Brook School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £45k, 1% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Devon · Not applicable · Foundation special 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 | £2.7m | £2.6m | +£29k | £50k | 119 |
2019-20 | £3.0m | £2.9m | +£11k | £61k | 138 |
2020-21 | £3.2m | £3.2m | -£46k | £14k | 138 |
2021-22 | £3.7m | £3.8m | -£32k | -£18k | 159 |
2022-23 | £4.0m | £4.1m | -£175k | -£193k | 158 |
2023-24 | £4.1m | £4.2m | -£83k | -£276k | 154 |
2024-25 | £4.4m | £4.3m | +£99k | -£177k | 153 |
2025-26 | £4.6m | £4.5m | +£131k | -£45k | 151 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 special 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 £29,566 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £28,035.
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 | £8,992 | £10,033 | £8,195–£11,857 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £12,282 | £9,861 | £6,155–£12,764 |
Supply staff | £1,055 | £599 | £26–£1,511 |
Admin and clerical | £2,009 | £1,004 | £806–£1,174 |
Premises | £1,165 | £1,281 | £958–£1,445 |
Energy | £486 | £370 | £310–£587 |
Learning resources & ICT | £943 | £728 | £517–£916 |
Bought-in services | £455 | £491 | £315–£807 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- The Old Park School In deficit
- Boston Endeavour Academy Healthy
- The Shrubberies School Healthy
- Samuel Pepys School Large reserves
- Highfield Ely Academy Healthy
- Pitcheroak School Large reserves
- St Hugh's Special School Large reserves
- The Orchards Healthy
- The Russett School Large reserves
- Thornton-Cleveleys Red Marsh School Healthy
- Warren School In deficit
- Highfield Littleport Academy Healthy
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £4.5m | £29,632 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £2.1m | £13,844 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £86k | £573 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £121k | £803 |
Money raised by parents
BIDWELL BROOK SCHOOL PTFA (charity 275550, Registered) raised £48k in its latest year.
| Year ending | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
2025-11 | £48k | £33k |
2024-11 | £2k | £1k |
2023-11 | £6k | £12k |
2022-11 | £7k | £4k |
2021-11 | £5k | £1k |
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.
- 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 admin and clerical is £2,009 a pupil, against a typical £1,004 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 Bidwell Brook School · All Devon school finances