St Thomas' CofE Primary Academy: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £294k, 22% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received. It has spent more than it received for 5 years running.
Latest full year 2024-25, as a academy (accounts return, September–August). Staffordshire · Primary · Academy converter.
Academies in a trust don't hold money on their own: THREE SPIRES TRUST 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 | £1.0m | £1.0m | -£21k | £86k | 218 |
2019-20 | £1.3m | £1.1m | +£115k | £202k | 216 |
2020-21 | £1.2m | £1.3m | -£51k | £151k | 206 |
2021-22 | £1.2m | £1.2m | -£28k | £83k | 203 |
2022-23 | £1.2m | £1.3m | -£59k | -£4k | 191 |
2023-24 | £1.3m | £1.4m | -£45k | -£81k | 172 |
2024-25 | £1.4m | £1.5m | -£101k | -£294k | 186 |
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 £7,828 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £6,618.
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 | £3,067 | £3,210 | £2,977–£3,456 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £2,686 | £1,180 | £948–£1,361 |
Supply staff | £48 | £109 | £43–£184 |
Admin and clerical | £424 | £304 | £215–£352 |
Premises | £290 | £343 | £268–£461 |
Energy | £155 | £99 | £75–£111 |
Learning resources & ICT | £225 | £326 | £253–£402 |
Bought-in services | £75 | £133 | £68–£274 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Girton Glebe Primary School In deficit
- Cherry Garden Primary School Large reserves
- St Maxentius CofE Primary School Large reserves
- Heage Primary School Tight
- St Swithun Wells Catholic Primary School, Chandlers Ford Healthy
- Bembridge Church of England Primary School In deficit
- Hermitage Primary School In deficit
- English Martyrs Catholic Primary School, Worthing Tight
- High Littleton CofE VC Primary School Healthy
- Burscough Lordsgate Township Church of England Primary School Healthy
- William Westley Church of England VC Primary School Healthy
- Bulford St Leonard's C of E (VA) Primary School Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2024-25
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £1.2m | £6,692 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £81k | £434 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £104k | £558 |
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 14% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on support staff (e.g. tas) is £2,686 a pupil, against a typical £1,180 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on energy is £155 a pupil, against a typical £99 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on admin and clerical is £424 a pupil, against a typical £304 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 St Thomas' CofE Primary Academy · All Staffordshire school finances