Highfield Nursery School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £93k, 14% 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). North Northamptonshire · Nursery · Local authority nursery 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 | £431k | £464k | -£33k | -£43k | 64 |
2019-20 | £426k | £436k | -£10k | -£53k | 54 |
2020-21 | £397k | £402k | -£5k | -£58k | 52 |
2021-22 | £431k | £398k | +£34k | -£24k | 64 |
2022-23 | £585k | £563k | +£21k | -£3k | 55 |
2023-24 | £598k | £652k | -£53k | -£61k | 54 |
2024-25 | £622k | £631k | -£10k | -£71k | 49 |
2025-26 | £685k | £707k | -£22k | -£93k | 54 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 nursery 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 7% of them. It spends £13,219 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £12,545.
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 | £1,459 | £3,327 | £2,527–£3,768 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £5,267 | £5,071 | £3,582–£6,397 |
Supply staff | £244 | £127 | £29–£380 |
Admin and clerical | £1,549 | £815 | £601–£1,023 |
Premises | £418 | £760 | £517–£1,037 |
Energy | £174 | £152 | £104–£225 |
Learning resources & ICT | £197 | £283 | £212–£395 |
Bought-in services | £3,157 | £385 | £185–£680 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Beverley Manor Nursery School Large reserves
- Aspiring Foundations Federated Nursery Schools - Warrington Road Nursery School Large reserves
- Bushy Leaze Early Years Centre Large reserves
- Taywood Nursery School In deficit
- Plym Bridge Nursery School and Day Care Tight
- Windsor Nursery School Large reserves
- Earlham Nursery School Tight
- Heath Lane Nursery School Large reserves
- Great Coates Village Nursery School Large reserves
- Wheatley Nursery School Large reserves
- Beechdale Nursery School Large reserves
- Bacup Nursery School Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £620k | £11,581 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £34k | £635 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £65k | £1,224 |
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 17% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on bought-in services is £3,157 a pupil, against a typical £385 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on admin and clerical is £1,549 a pupil, against a typical £815 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 Highfield Nursery School · All North Northamptonshire school finances