Mercia Academy: school finances
Large reserves
Holds £887k in reserve, 17% of a year's income.
Latest full year 2024-25, as a academy (accounts return, September–August). Derbyshire · Secondary · Academy sponsor led.
Academies in a trust don't hold money on their own: LIONHEART EDUCATIONAL 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 | £4.3m | £4.6m | -£285k | -£462k | 715 |
2019-20 | £4.3m | £4.1m | +£184k | -£278k | 634 |
2020-21 | £4.0m | £3.7m | +£291k | £12k | 606 |
2021-22 | £4.1m | £3.9m | +£209k | £221k | 610 |
2024-25 | £5.3m | £4.1m | +£1.2m | £887k | 580 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 secondary 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 80% of them. It spends £7,053 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £8,471.
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 | £3,514 | £4,665 | £4,181–£4,891 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £974 | £921 | £674–£1,196 |
Supply staff | £390 | £254 | £135–£466 |
Admin and clerical | £229 | £572 | £449–£617 |
Premises | £233 | £484 | £357–£539 |
Energy | £112 | £193 | £144–£236 |
Learning resources & ICT | £612 | £453 | £347–£610 |
Bought-in services | £122 | £160 | £65–£231 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Lancaster High School In deficit
- Turves Green Boys' School Heading for deficit
- Thornhill Academy Large reserves
- Atherton High School Large reserves
- Outwood Academy Kirkby Heading for deficit
- Eden Girls' Leadership Academy, Birmingham Large reserves
- University Collegiate School Large reserves
- Oak Academy Heading for deficit
- Eden Boys' Leadership Academy, Manchester Large reserves
- UTC Plymouth In deficit
- Rayner Stephens High School Tight
- Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College In deficit
Where the money comes from, 2024-25
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £5.2m | £8,900 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £174k | £300 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £101k | £174 |
Questions to ask the school
Useful for parents, governors and PTA committees.
- What are the reserves set aside for, and when will they be spent on current pupils?
- Pupil numbers have fallen 19% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
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 Mercia Academy · All Derbyshire school finances