Harrowgate Hill Primary School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £224k, 8% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received. It has spent more than it received for 5 years running.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Darlington · 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 | £2.8m | £2.7m | +£76k | £393k | 607 |
2019-20 | £2.6m | £2.8m | -£206k | £187k | 607 |
2020-21 | £3.1m | £3.1m | +£27k | £214k | 589 |
2021-22 | £3.2m | £3.2m | -£14k | £200k | 565 |
2022-23 | £3.2m | £3.3m | -£54k | £146k | 542 |
2023-24 | £3.2m | £3.3m | -£103k | £43k | 493 |
2024-25 | £3.2m | £3.2m | -£82k | -£39k | 438 |
2025-26 | £2.9m | £3.1m | -£185k | -£224k | 402 |
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 0% of them. It spends £7,756 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £6,796.
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 | £3,780 | £3,177 | £2,936–£3,500 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £883 | £1,339 | £1,113–£1,564 |
Supply staff | £358 | £168 | £55–£298 |
Admin and clerical | £257 | £284 | £201–£340 |
Premises | £789 | £329 | £283–£438 |
Energy | £164 | £97 | £73–£114 |
Learning resources & ICT | £260 | £226 | £161–£317 |
Bought-in services | £222 | £147 | £89–£255 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Bonneygrove Primary School Large reserves
- Holwell Primary School Large reserves
- Walter Halls Primary and Early Years School Heading for deficit
- Prince Rock Primary School Large reserves
- Hollyfield Primary School In deficit
- Lakenham Primary School Tight
- Folkestone St. Mary's Church of England Primary Academy Large reserves
- St Stephen's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Healthy
- Hurst Drive Primary School Healthy
- St Leonards Church of England Primary Academy Healthy
- Ecclesfield Primary School Tight
- Lings Primary School Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £2.8m | £7,081 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £33k | £83 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £197k | £490 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £86k | £215 |
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?
- Pupil numbers have fallen 34% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on premises is £789 a pupil, against a typical £329 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on supply staff is £358 a pupil, against a typical £168 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on energy is £164 a pupil, against a typical £97 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 Harrowgate Hill Primary School · All Darlington school finances