The Beacon Primary Pupil Referral Unit: school finances
Large reserves
Holds £286k in reserve, 38% of a year's income.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Worcestershire · Not applicable · Pupil referral unit.
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 | £764k | £732k | +£32k | £102k | 20 |
2019-20 | £822k | £768k | +£54k | £156k | 21 |
2020-21 | £782k | £831k | -£50k | £107k | 17 |
2021-22 | £827k | £816k | +£11k | £117k | 14 |
2022-23 | £828k | £744k | +£84k | £201k | 17 |
2023-24 | £786k | £700k | +£87k | £288k | 6 |
2024-25 | £685k | £736k | -£51k | £237k | 9 |
2025-26 | £759k | £710k | +£49k | £286k | 10 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 alternative-provision 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 83% of them. It spends £70,958 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £41,362.
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 | £51,916 | £18,061 | £13,550–£28,494 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £5,494 | £8,361 | £3,752–£11,324 |
Supply staff | £0 | £763 | £73–£1,554 |
Admin and clerical | £3,632 | £2,255 | £1,340–£3,131 |
Premises | £2,005 | £1,882 | £1,239–£2,459 |
Energy | £566 | £533 | £408–£697 |
Learning resources & ICT | £2,098 | £1,328 | £916–£2,209 |
Bought-in services | £2,401 | £709 | £169–£1,735 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Kite Ridge School In deficit
- Chalk Hill Healthy
- Pace In deficit
- Craven Pupil Referral Service Large reserves
- Sevenhills Academy Large reserves
- Lansdown Park Academy Tight
- Smannell Field School Large reserves
- Westbridge Academy Large reserves
- Westwood Academy Large reserves
- Abbey View Heading for deficit
- Derby Pride Academy Large reserves
- Springwell Harrogate Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £748k | £74,780 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £158k | £15,850 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £11k | £1,063 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £11k | £1,097 |
Questions to ask the school
Useful for parents, governors and PTA committees.
- What are the reserves set aside for, and when will they be spent on current pupils?
- Could any of the surplus be clawed back under the council's scheme for financing schools?
- Pupil numbers have fallen 50% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on bought-in services is £2,401 a pupil, against a typical £709 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on teachers is £51,916 a pupil, against a typical £18,061 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on admin and clerical is £3,632 a pupil, against a typical £2,255 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 Beacon Primary Pupil Referral Unit · All Worcestershire school finances