The Ropemakers' Academy: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £202k, 7% 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). East Sussex · Not applicable · Free schools special.
Academies in a trust don't hold money on their own: THE BECKMEAD 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, 2020-21 to 2024-25
Income and spending, 2020-21 to 2024-25
Income Spending
Show the figures as a table
| Year | Income | Spending | Balance | Reserve | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020-21 | £676k | £508k | +£168k | £66k | 12 |
2021-22 | £1.4m | £1.3m | +£132k | £108k | 37 |
2024-25 | £2.9m | £2.9m | +£55k | -£202k | 111 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 special 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 13% of them. It spends £25,901 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £28,994.
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 | £9,252 | £10,463 | £9,157–£12,917 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £5,306 | £8,531 | £7,384–£10,564 |
Supply staff | £270 | £752 | £244–£1,943 |
Admin and clerical | £1,144 | £1,290 | £1,005–£1,723 |
Premises | £1,631 | £1,418 | £929–£1,714 |
Energy | £730 | £344 | £261–£529 |
Learning resources & ICT | £1,631 | £934 | £535–£1,212 |
Bought-in services | £3,883 | £725 | £272–£1,925 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Springhead School Healthy
- Athena School Large reserves
- Springfield House Community Special School In deficit
- Hope High School Tight
- Discovery Academy Large reserves
- Meadowside School In deficit
- The Cavendish High Academy Large reserves
- Rachel Madocks School Large reserves
- Forest Moor School In deficit
- Longspee Academy Tight
- The Eresby School, Spilsby Large reserves
- Merefield School Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2024-25
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £2.9m | £26,378 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £1.4m | £12,441 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £2k | £18 |
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 bought-in services is £3,883 a pupil, against a typical £725 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on energy is £730 a pupil, against a typical £344 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on learning resources & ict is £1,631 a pupil, against a typical £934 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 Ropemakers' Academy · All East Sussex school finances