Gillingham Primary School: school finances
Heading for deficit
Has spent more than it received for 2 years running; at that rate its £66k reserve runs out in about 2 years.
Latest full year 2024-25, as a academy (accounts return, September–August). Dorset · Primary · Academy converter.
Academies in a trust don't hold money on their own: PICKWICK ACADEMY 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 | £1.7m | £1.7m | +£21k | £39k | 360 |
2019-20 | £1.8m | £1.8m | +£1k | £40k | 338 |
2020-21 | £1.9m | £1.8m | +£71k | £111k | 315 |
2021-22 | £1.9m | £1.8m | +£17k | £128k | 308 |
2023-24 | £1.9m | £1.9m | -£59k | £25k | 270 |
2024-25 | £1.9m | £2.0m | -£79k | £66k | 234 |
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 20% of them. It spends £8,470 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £7,037.
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 | £3,838 | £3,154 | £2,976–£3,377 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £2,350 | £1,404 | £1,224–£1,729 |
Supply staff | £111 | £75 | £29–£138 |
Admin and clerical | £329 | £328 | £247–£378 |
Premises | £556 | £393 | £339–£493 |
Energy | £85 | £102 | £89–£124 |
Learning resources & ICT | £278 | £301 | £230–£370 |
Bought-in services | £98 | £135 | £77–£228 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Highley Community Primary School Large reserves
- Ashfield Park Primary School Tight
- Sutton Park Primary School Healthy
- Millfields Primary Academy Large reserves
- Deanwood Primary School Tight
- Woolenwick Junior School Large reserves
- Chellaston Infant School Healthy
- Canvey Primary School and Nursery Large reserves
- St Edmund's CofE (C) Primary & Nursery School Healthy
- Watling Street Primary School Large reserves
- Shawley Community Primary Academy & Nursery Heading for deficit
- St Mary's Catholic Primary School Healthy
Where the money comes from, 2024-25
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £2.0m | £8,538 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £315k | £1,346 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £80k | £342 |
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 35% 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 £2,350 a pupil, against a typical £1,404 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on premises is £556 a pupil, against a typical £393 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on teachers is £3,838 a pupil, against a typical £3,154 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 Gillingham Primary School · All Dorset school finances