Brent River College: school finances
Tight
Holds £27k 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). Brent · 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 | £2.1m | £2.2m | -£56k | £48k | 54 |
2019-20 | £2.1m | £2.3m | -£127k | -£79k | 70 |
2020-21 | £2.2m | £2.1m | +£113k | £35k | 57 |
2021-22 | £2.2m | £2.3m | -£9k | £26k | 39 |
2022-23 | £2.4m | £2.3m | +£112k | £138k | 51 |
2023-24 | £2.5m | £2.6m | -£63k | £75k | 55 |
2024-25 | £2.7m | £2.5m | +£201k | £276k | 53 |
2025-26 | £2.5m | £2.7m | -£249k | £27k | 47 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 alternative-provision schools in London closest in size and in the share of pupils on free school meals. Its reserve, as a share of income, is higher than 27% of them. It spends £58,007 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £45,997.
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 | £27,904 | £20,555 | £14,788–£26,729 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £8,148 | £7,111 | £5,242–£10,203 |
Supply staff | £4,845 | £1,969 | £1,063–£4,005 |
Admin and clerical | £4,319 | £2,504 | £1,462–£4,024 |
Premises | £1,277 | £2,009 | £1,199–£3,720 |
Energy | £902 | £578 | £367–£745 |
Learning resources & ICT | £2,628 | £1,582 | £1,008–£2,533 |
Bought-in services | £3,327 | £2,152 | £1,059–£5,481 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- OA - Havering Heading for deficit
- The Boxing Academy AP Free School Large reserves
- Westside School Large reserves
- Horizons Academy Bexley Large reserves
- Roundwood School and Community Centre Tight
- Ormiston Bridge Academy Tight
- Orchardside School Heading for deficit
- Ealing Alternative Provision Tight
- Beacon Business Innovation Hub Large reserves
- Ormiston Latimer Academy Tight
- New River College Secondary In deficit
- Wandsworth Hospital and Home Tuition Service Healthy
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £2.5m | £52,451 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £1.4m | £30,048 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £20k | £430 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £12k | £253 |
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 13% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on supply staff is £4,845 a pupil, against a typical £1,969 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on energy is £902 a pupil, against a typical £578 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.
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