Robert Blair School and Children's Centre: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £160k, 6% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Islington · Primary · Community school.
Reserve at the end of each year, 2018-19 to 2025-26
Income and spending, 2018-19 to 2025-26
Income Spending
Show the figures as a table
| Year | Income | Spending | Balance | Reserve | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018-19 | £2.1m | £2.1m | -£11k | £125k | 230 |
2019-20 | £2.1m | £2.1m | -£842 | £124k | 235 |
2020-21 | £2.2m | £2.2m | +£4k | £128k | 220 |
2021-22 | £2.2m | £2.3m | -£34k | £94k | 206 |
2022-23 | £2.2m | £2.4m | -£221k | -£127k | 218 |
2023-24 | £2.3m | £2.3m | -£37k | -£164k | 214 |
2024-25 | £2.6m | £2.5m | +£13k | -£154k | 210 |
2025-26 | £2.6m | £2.6m | -£7k | -£160k | 197 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 primary schools in London closest in size and in the share of pupils on free school meals. Its reserve, as a share of income, is higher than 10% of them. It spends £13,410 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £10,251.
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 | £4,268 | £4,435 | £4,002–£4,996 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £3,163 | £1,808 | £1,475–£2,401 |
Supply staff | £762 | £240 | £59–£349 |
Admin and clerical | £726 | £506 | £364–£598 |
Premises | £993 | £627 | £491–£720 |
Energy | £222 | £130 | £109–£167 |
Learning resources & ICT | £389 | £348 | £257–£451 |
Bought-in services | £1,338 | £448 | £298–£909 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- St Ann's CE Primary School Large reserves
- St Richard's Church of England Primary School Large reserves
- St Saviour's Church of England Primary School Tight
- St Matthew's CofE Primary School Large reserves
- St Alfege with St Peter's Church of England Primary School Tight
- Viking Primary School Heading for deficit
- Friars Primary Foundation School In deficit
- St Paul's Cray Church of England Primary School Large reserves
- East Acton Primary School Large reserves
- Halley House School Tight
- St Eugene de Mazenod Roman Catholic Primary School In deficit
- St Anne's and Guardian Angels Catholic Primary School Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £2.5m | £12,784 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £224k | £1,135 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £121k | £615 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £117k | £592 |
Questions to ask the school
Useful for parents, governors and PTA committees.
- Is there a deficit recovery plan agreed with the council, 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 15% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on supply staff is £762 a pupil, against a typical £240 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on bought-in services is £1,338 a pupil, against a typical £448 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on support staff (e.g. tas) is £3,163 a pupil, against a typical £1,808 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.
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