The Discovery School: school finances
Tight
Holds £85k 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). Kent · 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 | £2.6m | £2.7m | -£115k | £147k | 619 |
2019-20 | £2.8m | £2.9m | -£31k | £116k | 611 |
2020-21 | £2.9m | £2.9m | +£10k | £125k | 623 |
2021-22 | £3.2m | £3.2m | +£305 | £126k | 627 |
2022-23 | £3.5m | £3.5m | -£23k | £102k | 625 |
2023-24 | £3.7m | £3.7m | -£16k | £86k | 624 |
2024-25 | £3.9m | £3.9m | -£10k | £77k | 635 |
2025-26 | £4.1m | £4.0m | +£8k | £85k | 634 |
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 30% of them. It spends £6,377 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £6,155.
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 | £3,090 | £2,968 | £2,836–£3,106 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,113 | £1,189 | £1,033–£1,314 |
Supply staff | £38 | £67 | £2–£151 |
Admin and clerical | £283 | £282 | £197–£336 |
Premises | £298 | £297 | £256–£363 |
Energy | £59 | £78 | £68–£101 |
Learning resources & ICT | £226 | £286 | £252–£369 |
Bought-in services | £94 | £84 | £47–£135 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Grove Wood Primary School Large reserves
- St Mary's CofE Primary School In deficit
- Balsall Common Primary School Tight
- Greystones Primary School Heading for deficit
- Ravenscote Junior School Large reserves
- Mangotsfield Church of England Primary School Heading for deficit
- Moorlands Primary School Healthy
- Hallam Nursery & Primary School Large reserves
- Elmbridge Primary School Tight
- Brightside Primary School Large reserves
- Greenleas School Tight
- St John's Church of England Primary School Healthy
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £3.7m | £5,857 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £183k | £288 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £80k | £126 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £340k | £537 |
Money raised by parents
FRIENDS OF THE DISCOVERY SCHOOL (charity 1125825, Registered) raised £32k in its latest year.
| Year ending | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
2025-08 | £32k | £18k |
2024-08 | £28k | £29k |
2023-08 | £31k | £29k |
2022-08 | £31k | £29k |
2021-08 | £9k | £4k |
Matched to this school by name and postcode from the Charity Commission register. Parent associations' money isn't in the school's accounts above.
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?
- How does the school decide what the money the parents' association raises is spent on?
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 Discovery School · All Kent school finances