The Bishops' Church of England and Roman Catholic Primary School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £49k, 2% 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). Essex · 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 | £2.0m | £2.0m | -£29k | £165k | 436 |
2019-20 | £2.1m | £2.0m | +£67k | £231k | 436 |
2020-21 | £2.1m | £2.0m | +£94k | £325k | 434 |
2021-22 | £2.4m | £2.2m | +£138k | £463k | 435 |
2022-23 | £2.4m | £2.5m | -£128k | £335k | 437 |
2023-24 | £2.6m | £2.7m | -£18k | £317k | 442 |
2024-25 | £2.7m | £2.9m | -£234k | £83k | 439 |
2025-26 | £2.9m | £3.0m | -£132k | -£49k | 437 |
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 £6,863 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £6,075.
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 | £2,802 | £2,998 | £2,744–£3,169 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,839 | £1,283 | £877–£1,495 |
Supply staff | £1 | £95 | £43–£159 |
Admin and clerical | £290 | £255 | £194–£318 |
Premises | £273 | £293 | £240–£326 |
Energy | £69 | £85 | £68–£101 |
Learning resources & ICT | £229 | £258 | £184–£325 |
Bought-in services | £331 | £126 | £79–£189 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Wickersley Northfield Primary School Large reserves
- Lawn Primary School Healthy
- Parkfield Primary School Large reserves
- Cranborne Primary School Large reserves
- Clifford Bridge Academy Healthy
- Knutsford Primary Academy Large reserves
- Acklam Whin Primary School Large reserves
- Simon de Senlis Primary School Large reserves
- Woodheys Primary School Heading for deficit
- Oakmeadow Church of England Primary and Nursery School Large reserves
- Broadwater CofE Primary School Heading for deficit
- St Thomas A Becket Catholic Primary School Healthy
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £2.6m | £5,852 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £183k | £419 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £72k | £164 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £310k | £709 |
Money raised by parents
The Bishops' School PTFA (charity 1017473, Registered) raised £14k in its latest year.
| Year ending | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
2025-08 | £14k | £12k |
2024-08 | £24k | £21k |
2023-08 | £17k | £29k |
2022-08 | £23k | £9k |
2021-08 | £5k | £2k |
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 bought-in services is £331 a pupil, against a typical £126 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on support staff (e.g. tas) is £1,839 a pupil, against a typical £1,283 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.
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