The Abbey Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, St Albans: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £254k, 23% 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). Hertfordshire · 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 | £994k | £996k | -£2k | £6k | 209 |
2019-20 | £1.0m | £1.0m | -£4k | £1k | 205 |
2020-21 | £963k | £952k | +£11k | £13k | 191 |
2021-22 | £1.0m | £980k | +£22k | £35k | 187 |
2022-23 | £1.1m | £1.0m | +£20k | £55k | 174 |
2023-24 | £1.1m | £1.2m | -£42k | £13k | 165 |
2024-25 | £1.1m | £1.2m | -£119k | -£106k | 177 |
2025-26 | £1.1m | £1.3m | -£148k | -£254k | 189 |
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 £6,671 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £6,670.
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 | £3,714 | £3,157 | £2,950–£3,323 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £668 | £1,172 | £914–£1,450 |
Supply staff | £191 | £131 | £49–£230 |
Admin and clerical | £300 | £314 | £269–£401 |
Premises | £452 | £350 | £297–£402 |
Energy | £87 | £98 | £86–£142 |
Learning resources & ICT | £359 | £293 | £213–£399 |
Bought-in services | £303 | £162 | £88–£308 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Milverton Community Primary School and Pre-School Healthy
- Brill Church of England School Large reserves
- Moss Hey Primary School Healthy
- Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy Large reserves
- Sprotbrough Orchard Infant School Large reserves
- St Peter's Catholic Primary School Healthy
- Levendale Primary School Large reserves
- Holy Trinity Primary School Large reserves
- Waddington and West Bradford Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Tight
- Congerstone Primary School In deficit
- Crossdale Primary School In deficit
- Turton and Edgworth CofE/Methodist Primary School Tight
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £995k | £5,266 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £20k | £105 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £9k | £48 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £118k | £623 |
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 10% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on premises is £452 a pupil, against a typical £350 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on teachers is £3,714 a pupil, against a typical £3,157 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 Abbey Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, St Albans · All Hertfordshire school finances