The Nobel School: school finances
Tight
Holds £18k in reserve, under 3% of a year's income: little room for surprises.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Hertfordshire · Secondary · Foundation 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 | £8.2m | £7.9m | +£239k | £510k | 1,473 |
2019-20 | £8.3m | £8.2m | +£76k | £586k | 1,451 |
2020-21 | £8.5m | £8.3m | +£199k | £785k | 1,429 |
2021-22 | £9.0m | £8.8m | +£165k | £949k | 1,469 |
2022-23 | £9.5m | £9.8m | -£276k | £673k | 1,474 |
2023-24 | £10.3m | £10.6m | -£340k | £333k | 1,463 |
2024-25 | £11.0m | £11.3m | -£367k | -£34k | 1,490 |
2025-26 | £11.8m | £11.7m | +£52k | £18k | 1,475 |
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 3% of them. It spends £7,959 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £7,443.
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 | £4,888 | £4,328 | £4,108–£4,534 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £666 | £699 | £612–£789 |
Supply staff | £76 | £91 | £68–£159 |
Admin and clerical | £451 | £458 | £356–£540 |
Premises | £385 | £399 | £346–£479 |
Energy | £214 | £141 | £121–£155 |
Learning resources & ICT | £504 | £484 | £418–£570 |
Bought-in services | £114 | £70 | £41–£177 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Sir Christopher Hatton Academy Large reserves
- The Polesworth School Tight
- Chipping Campden School Heading for deficit
- Roding Valley High School Large reserves
- Faringdon Community College Large reserves
- Rawlins Large reserves
- Nunnery Wood High School Large reserves
- St Ivo Academy Healthy
- St Joseph's Catholic College Large reserves
- Arnold Hill Spencer Academy Tight
- The Knights Templar School Heading for deficit
- St Mary's Catholic High School Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £11.1m | £7,516 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £244k | £165 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £264k | £179 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £705k | £478 |
Questions to ask the school
Useful for parents, governors and PTA committees.
- What would the school do if costs rose unexpectedly, such as energy or a pay award that isn't fully funded?
- Spending on energy is £214 a pupil, against a typical £141 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 Nobel School · All Hertfordshire school finances