Bluebell Meadow Primary School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £65k, 4% 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). County Durham · Primary · Academy sponsor led.
Academies in a trust don't hold money on their own: EDEN ACADEMY TRUST LIMITED can move money between its schools. The reserve includes this school's per-pupil share of the trust's central reserve.
Earlier years come from this school's return before it became an academy (a different DfE number).
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 | £1.9m | £2.0m | -£164k | £42k | 309 |
2019-20 | £1.7m | £1.9m | -£120k | -£78k | 248 |
2020-21 | £1.6m | £1.6m | -£87k | -£128k | 214 |
2021-22 | £1.5m | £1.4m | +£66k | -£120k | 217 |
2022-23 | £1.6m | £1.6m | +£19k | -£165k | 210 |
2023-24 | £1.7m | £1.6m | +£127k | -£110k | 210 |
2024-25 | £1.7m | £1.6m | +£123k | -£65k | 212 |
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 7% of them. It spends £7,414 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £7,949.
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 | £2,775 | £3,400 | £3,045–£3,800 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £2,345 | £1,731 | £1,438–£2,120 |
Supply staff | £236 | £128 | £23–£265 |
Admin and clerical | £213 | £371 | £219–£456 |
Premises | £397 | £403 | £317–£533 |
Energy | £392 | £129 | £95–£144 |
Learning resources & ICT | £213 | £356 | £259–£422 |
Bought-in services | £38 | £210 | £69–£432 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Broken Cross Primary Academy and Nursery Large reserves
- St Meriadoc CofE Junior Academy Healthy
- Deal Parochial Church of England Primary School In deficit
- Tuckswood Academy In deficit
- Grassmoor Primary School In deficit
- Braybrook Primary Academy Large reserves
- Timbertree Academy Large reserves
- St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Balderstone Large reserves
- Leigh Central Primary School Large reserves
- St Cuthbert's RC Primary School and Nursery, A Voluntary Academy Large reserves
- St Paul's Church of England Aided Primary School In deficit
- Arley Primary Academy Healthy
Where the money comes from, 2024-25
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £1.6m | £7,598 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £193k | £913 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £91k | £430 |
Money raised by parents
FRIENDS OF BLUEBELL MEADOW PRIMARY SCHOOL (charity 1220326, Registered)
Matched to this school by name and postcode from the Charity Commission register. Parent associations' money isn't in the school's accounts above.
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?
- Pupil numbers have fallen 32% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on energy is £392 a pupil, against a typical £129 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on support staff (e.g. tas) is £2,345 a pupil, against a typical £1,731 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- How does the school decide what the money the parents' association raises is spent on?
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 Bluebell Meadow Primary School · All County Durham school finances