New Directions: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £160k, 7% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received. It has spent more than it received for 4 years running.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Newham · 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 | £1.9m | £1.7m | +£143k | £218k | 36 |
2019-20 | £1.8m | £2.0m | -£159k | £59k | 38 |
2020-21 | £2.0m | £1.9m | +£99k | £157k | 30 |
2021-22 | £1.9m | £1.9m | +£14k | £172k | 23 |
2022-23 | £2.0m | £2.0m | -£3k | £169k | 25 |
2023-24 | £2.1m | £2.1m | -£54k | £115k | 35 |
2024-25 | £2.2m | £2.2m | -£58k | £57k | 32 |
2025-26 | £2.1m | £2.4m | -£218k | -£160k | 34 |
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 10% of them. It spends £69,403 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 | £30,179 | £20,555 | £15,507–£26,729 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £13,846 | £6,943 | £4,952–£9,988 |
Supply staff | £14,133 | £1,904 | £1,063–£4,056 |
Admin and clerical | £151 | £2,930 | £1,718–£4,077 |
Premises | £5,107 | £1,983 | £1,181–£3,039 |
Energy | £699 | £578 | £358–£787 |
Learning resources & ICT | £802 | £1,527 | £1,008–£2,658 |
Bought-in services | £1,377 | £2,127 | £1,036–£6,134 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Beacon Business Innovation Hub Large reserves
- Redbridge Alternative Provision Large reserves
- Wandsworth Hospital and Home Tuition Service Healthy
- Northgate School In deficit
- The Boxing Academy AP Free School Large reserves
- OA - Havering Heading for deficit
- The Helix Education Centre In deficit
- Roundwood School and Community Centre Tight
- Brent River College Tight
- The Skills Hub Large reserves
- Orchardside School Heading for deficit
- Tunmarsh School In deficit
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £1.9m | £55,942 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £919k | £27,038 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £16k | £482 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £240k | £7,063 |
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 £14,133 a pupil, against a typical £1,904 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on premises is £5,107 a pupil, against a typical £1,983 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on support staff (e.g. tas) is £13,846 a pupil, against a typical £6,943 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on teachers is £30,179 a pupil, against a typical £20,555 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 New Directions · All Newham school finances