The Open Academy: school finances
Tight
Holds £122k in reserve, under 3% of a year's income: little room for surprises.
Latest full year 2024-25, as a academy (accounts return, September–August). Norfolk · Secondary · Academy sponsor led.
Academies in a trust don't hold money on their own: THE DIOCESE OF NORWICH EDUCATION AND ACADEMIES TRUST can move money between its schools. The reserve includes this school's per-pupil share of the trust's central reserve.
Reserve at the end of each year, 2018-19 to 2024-25
Income and spending, 2018-19 to 2024-25
Income Spending
Show the figures as a table
| Year | Income | Spending | Balance | Reserve | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018-19 | £4.0m | £4.4m | -£346k | £149k | 607 |
2019-20 | £4.1m | £4.3m | -£166k | -£179k | 611 |
2020-21 | £4.2m | £4.1m | +£77k | £196k | 591 |
2021-22 | £4.5m | £4.5m | -£8k | £0 | 588 |
2022-23 | £4.7m | £5.0m | -£271k | £0 | 601 |
2023-24 | £5.3m | £5.3m | -£3k | £0 | 578 |
2024-25 | £5.6m | £5.2m | +£476k | £122k | 560 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 secondary 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 £9,211 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £8,143.
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 | £4,907 | £4,300 | £4,161–£4,692 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,573 | £1,085 | £933–£1,289 |
Supply staff | £96 | £207 | £49–£362 |
Admin and clerical | £691 | £490 | £335–£590 |
Premises | £496 | £528 | £421–£622 |
Energy | £229 | £150 | £127–£223 |
Learning resources & ICT | £259 | £479 | £356–£603 |
Bought-in services | £179 | £121 | £39–£259 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- St Patrick's Catholic College, A Voluntary Catholic Academy Large reserves
- Woodfield Academy Large reserves
- North Gosforth Academy Heading for deficit
- Fearnhill School In deficit
- Coleridge Community College Large reserves
- Oasis Academy Immingham Large reserves
- Moor Park High School Large reserves
- Eden Girls' School, Coventry Large reserves
- The Featherstone Academy In deficit
- Lostock High School Tight
- Birchensale Middle School Large reserves
- The Hereford Church of England Academy In deficit
Where the money comes from, 2024-25
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £5.4m | £9,721 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £453k | £809 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £190k | £339 |
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?
- Spending on support staff (e.g. tas) is £1,573 a pupil, against a typical £1,085 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on admin and clerical is £691 a pupil, against a typical £490 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 Open Academy · All Norfolk school finances