The Sele First School: school finances
Tight
Holds £21k 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). Northumberland · Primary · Community 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 | -£36k | £167k | 430 |
2019-20 | £2.0m | £2.2m | -£126k | £41k | 418 |
2020-21 | £2.1m | £2.0m | +£80k | £121k | 393 |
2021-22 | £2.2m | £2.2m | +£34k | £155k | 389 |
2022-23 | £2.2m | £2.2m | -£47k | £108k | 386 |
2023-24 | £2.3m | £2.3m | -£22k | £86k | 370 |
2024-25 | £2.6m | £2.7m | -£94k | -£7k | 388 |
2025-26 | £2.7m | £2.7m | +£28k | £21k | 372 |
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 43% of them. It spends £7,274 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £6,466.
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 | £3,417 | £3,172 | £2,913–£3,323 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,092 | £1,218 | £1,012–£1,546 |
Supply staff | £157 | £102 | £64–£205 |
Admin and clerical | £157 | £295 | £216–£328 |
Premises | £294 | £296 | £231–£334 |
Energy | £115 | £85 | £71–£98 |
Learning resources & ICT | £394 | £271 | £223–£330 |
Bought-in services | £91 | £128 | £90–£209 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Seaton Primary School Tight
- St Agnes Academy Healthy
- Stanah Primary School Healthy
- Belmont Primary School In deficit
- Burbage Junior School In deficit
- St Luke's Church of England Primary School Large reserves
- Cross-in-Hand Church of England Primary School Large reserves
- Wheelock Primary School Healthy
- Stukeley Meadows Primary School Healthy
- Send CofE Primary School In deficit
- Glusburn Community Primary School Large reserves
- Hunter's Bar Junior School Heading for deficit
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £2.3m | £6,228 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £76k | £203 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £76k | £205 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £416k | £1,121 |
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?
- Pupil numbers have fallen 14% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on learning resources & ict is £394 a pupil, against a typical £271 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on energy is £115 a pupil, against a typical £85 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 Sele First School · All Northumberland school finances