Shotley Bridge Primary School: school finances
Heading for deficit
Has spent more than it received for 2 years running; at that rate its £74k reserve runs out in about 1 year.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). County Durham · Primary · Community 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 | £1.7m | £1.6m | +£71k | £226k | 386 |
2019-20 | £1.8m | £1.8m | -£60k | £166k | 390 |
2020-21 | £1.9m | £1.8m | +£86k | £252k | 393 |
2021-22 | £2.0m | £2.0m | -£20k | £232k | 396 |
2022-23 | £2.2m | £2.1m | +£43k | £275k | 375 |
2023-24 | £2.2m | £2.2m | +£4k | £279k | 349 |
2024-25 | £2.3m | £2.3m | -£40k | £239k | 347 |
2025-26 | £2.4m | £2.6m | -£165k | £74k | 344 |
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 30% of them. It spends £7,468 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £6,378.
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 | £3,861 | £3,155 | £2,892–£3,318 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,044 | £1,188 | £962–£1,455 |
Supply staff | £8 | £105 | £48–£184 |
Admin and clerical | £244 | £263 | £210–£344 |
Premises | £353 | £319 | £267–£376 |
Energy | £82 | £84 | £59–£98 |
Learning resources & ICT | £644 | £253 | £199–£336 |
Bought-in services | £338 | £122 | £63–£219 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- West Byfleet Junior School Large reserves
- Telford Junior School In deficit
- Lawley Village Academy Healthy
- St Teresa's Catholic (A) Primary School In deficit
- Chandlers Ridge Academy Tight
- Wren Park Primary School In deficit
- Bransgore Church of England Primary School Healthy
- Fulwell Junior School Large reserves
- Meadows First School Large reserves
- Farley Hill Primary School Large reserves
- Upton Heath CofE Primary School Healthy
- Mary Elton Primary School Healthy
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £2.2m | £6,360 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £9k | £27 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £72k | £210 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £247k | £717 |
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 11% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on bought-in services is £338 a pupil, against a typical £122 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on learning resources & ict is £644 a pupil, against a typical £253 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on teachers is £3,861 a pupil, against a typical £3,155 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 Shotley Bridge Primary School · All County Durham school finances