The Orchard School: school finances
Heading for deficit
Has spent more than it received for 3 years running; at that rate its £211k reserve runs out in about 1 year.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Kent · 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 | £2.0m | £1.9m | +£141k | £272k | 96 |
2019-20 | £2.3m | £2.1m | +£166k | £437k | 100 |
2020-21 | £2.4m | £2.2m | +£217k | £654k | 97 |
2021-22 | £2.4m | £2.5m | -£63k | £591k | 107 |
2022-23 | £2.7m | £2.6m | +£157k | £749k | 105 |
2023-24 | £2.7m | £2.8m | -£63k | £685k | 104 |
2024-25 | £3.1m | £3.3m | -£229k | £456k | 110 |
2025-26 | £3.5m | £3.7m | -£245k | £211k | 119 |
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 37% of them. It spends £31,439 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £30,843.
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 | £13,962 | £13,072 | £10,346–£16,068 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £7,495 | £7,562 | £6,242–£11,481 |
Supply staff | £1,000 | £1,045 | £0–£2,557 |
Admin and clerical | £1,826 | £1,224 | £962–£1,978 |
Premises | £780 | £1,634 | £1,065–£2,116 |
Energy | £384 | £466 | £353–£606 |
Learning resources & ICT | £1,555 | £1,255 | £804–£2,059 |
Bought-in services | £2,022 | £854 | £406–£1,439 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Riverside Meadows Academy Healthy
- Newfield School Large reserves
- Springwell Special Academy Large reserves
- Maplefields Academy Healthy
- Trinity Academy New Bridge Large reserves
- St Anthony's School Healthy
- Keyham Lodge School Tight
- Castlewood School Large reserves
- Pine Green Academy Large reserves
- North Star 180° Healthy
- Woodlands School Large reserves
- The Springboard Project Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £3.6m | £30,368 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £1.7m | £14,620 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £201k | £1,690 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £27k | £229 |
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?
- Spending on bought-in services is £2,022 a pupil, against a typical £854 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 Orchard School · All Kent school finances