Birchen Coppice Academy: school finances
Heading for deficit
Has spent more than it received for 4 years running; at that rate its £126k reserve runs out in about 0 year.
Latest full year 2024-25, as a academy (accounts return, September–August). Worcestershire · Primary · Academy sponsor led.
Academies in a trust don't hold money on their own: VICTORIA 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 | £1.8m | £1.8m | +£2k | -£418k | 273 |
2019-20 | £1.7m | £1.6m | +£157k | -£356k | 246 |
2020-21 | £1.8m | £1.6m | +£154k | -£324k | 237 |
2021-22 | £1.7m | £1.9m | -£277k | £0 | 248 |
2022-23 | £1.7m | £2.0m | -£257k | £0 | 200 |
2023-24 | £1.6m | £1.9m | -£255k | £0 | 187 |
2024-25 | £1.6m | £1.9m | -£295k | £126k | 175 |
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 37% of them. It spends £10,949 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £9,089.
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 | £5,686 | £3,835 | £3,484–£4,318 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,966 | £1,922 | £1,348–£2,285 |
Supply staff | £160 | £263 | £162–£557 |
Admin and clerical | £394 | £401 | £331–£597 |
Premises | £629 | £493 | £402–£665 |
Energy | £269 | £140 | £104–£158 |
Learning resources & ICT | £526 | £429 | £243–£525 |
Bought-in services | £120 | £309 | £192–£562 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Kitwell Primary School Large reserves
- Heathlands Primary Academy Tight
- Toll Bar Primary School In deficit
- St George's Church of England Community Primary School, Gainsborough Healthy
- The Priory Parish CofE Primary School Healthy
- Gossey Lane Academy Large reserves
- Pegasus Primary School Large reserves
- Sir Martin Frobisher Academy Heading for deficit
- Leasowe Primary School Large reserves
- St Hugh's Catholic Primary School Large reserves
- Dean Bank Primary and Nursery School Heading for deficit
- E-ACT Nechells Academy Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2024-25
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £1.6m | £9,074 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £71k | £406 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £33k | £189 |
Questions to ask the school
Useful for parents, governors and PTA committees.
- What is the plan to stop spending more than the school receives each year?
- Pupil numbers have fallen 36% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on energy is £269 a pupil, against a typical £140 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on teachers is £5,686 a pupil, against a typical £3,835 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 Birchen Coppice Academy · All Worcestershire school finances