The Ladder School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £137k, 5% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received.
Latest full year 2024-25, as a academy (accounts return, September–August). Walsall · Not applicable · Free schools alternative provision.
Academies in a trust don't hold money on their own: THE MERCIAN 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, 2019-20 to 2024-25
Income and spending, 2019-20 to 2024-25
Income Spending
Show the figures as a table
| Year | Income | Spending | Balance | Reserve | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019-20 | £1.0m | £974k | +£56k | £149k | 28 |
2020-21 | £923k | £1.1m | -£188k | -£20k | 41 |
2021-22 | £1.1m | £1.2m | -£106k | -£83k | 48 |
2022-23 | £1.2m | £1.5m | -£354k | -£432k | 16 |
2023-24 | £1.5m | £1.6m | -£139k | £0 | 27 |
2024-25 | £2.8m | £2.7m | +£92k | -£137k | 104 |
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 7% of them. It spends £25,615 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £30,393.
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 | £8,865 | £13,504 | £10,062–£17,149 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £3,904 | £4,920 | £3,664–£5,905 |
Supply staff | £1,904 | £809 | £568–£1,349 |
Admin and clerical | £1,529 | £1,555 | £1,066–£2,341 |
Premises | £1,337 | £1,095 | £835–£1,671 |
Energy | £510 | £281 | £176–£438 |
Learning resources & ICT | £4,894 | £1,328 | £993–£1,788 |
Bought-in services | £837 | £1,122 | £372–£2,866 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- East Sussex Academy Tight
- McKee College House Large reserves
- Trafford Alternative Education Provision Healthy
- Herefordshire Pupil Referral Service Large reserves
- The Vireo Academy Large reserves
- Compass School In deficit
- The Acorns School In deficit
- iCollege Alternative Provision Healthy
- The Bridge Education Centre Large reserves
- Rise Carr College Healthy
- Chadwick High School Large reserves
- The Academy of Central Bedfordshire Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2024-25
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £2.8m | £26,500 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £291k | £2,798 |
Questions to ask the school
Useful for parents, governors and PTA committees.
- Is there a deficit recovery plan agreed with its trust, 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 learning resources & ict is £4,894 a pupil, against a typical £1,328 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on supply staff is £1,904 a pupil, against a typical £809 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on energy is £510 a pupil, against a typical £281 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 Ladder School · All Walsall school finances