The Acorns School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £16k, 1% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Lancashire · 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 | £1.4m | £1.3m | +£51k | £169k | 68 |
2019-20 | £1.4m | £1.4m | -£43k | £125k | 50 |
2020-21 | £1.4m | £1.4m | +£81k | £206k | 52 |
2021-22 | £1.4m | £1.4m | +£33k | £239k | 65 |
2022-23 | £1.7m | £1.8m | -£144k | £96k | 83 |
2023-24 | £1.9m | £2.0m | -£115k | -£20k | 85 |
2024-25 | £2.3m | £2.2m | +£86k | £66k | 93 |
2025-26 | £2.2m | £2.3m | -£82k | -£16k | 89 |
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 10% of them. It spends £25,474 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £30,140.
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 | £9,742 | £12,344 | £10,499–£16,203 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £5,285 | £5,575 | £3,998–£7,829 |
Supply staff | £3,198 | £1,287 | £568–£2,154 |
Admin and clerical | £1,080 | £1,638 | £1,170–£2,563 |
Premises | £928 | £1,095 | £862–£1,763 |
Energy | £147 | £368 | £223–£590 |
Learning resources & ICT | £433 | £1,352 | £937–£1,847 |
Bought-in services | £3,039 | £1,345 | £634–£2,541 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- iCollege Alternative Provision Healthy
- Rise Carr College Healthy
- Youth Challenge Pru Healthy
- The Forum Centre Large reserves
- Continu Plus Academy Healthy
- The Ladder School In deficit
- Trafford Alternative Education Provision Healthy
- Dorchester Learning Centre Large reserves
- West Cumbria Learning Centre Tight
- Compass School In deficit
- Titan St Georges Academy Large reserves
- Willow Vale School In deficit
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £2.0m | £22,455 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £899k | £10,106 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £54k | £612 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £186k | £2,093 |
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?
- Spending on supply staff is £3,198 a pupil, against a typical £1,287 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on bought-in services is £3,039 a pupil, against a typical £1,345 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 Acorns School · All Lancashire school finances