New Woodlands School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £1.4m, 43% 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). Lewisham · Not applicable · Community special school.
Reserve at the end of each year, 2019-20 to 2025-26
Income and spending, 2019-20 to 2025-26
Income Spending
Show the figures as a table
| Year | Income | Spending | Balance | Reserve | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019-20 | £2.4m | £3.0m | -£610k | -£1.1m | 74 |
2020-21 | £3.3m | £2.9m | +£331k | -£747k | 81 |
2021-22 | £3.3m | £3.2m | +£78k | -£670k | 84 |
2022-23 | £3.5m | £3.6m | -£64k | -£733k | 98 |
2023-24 | £4.0m | £3.6m | +£331k | -£403k | 100 |
2024-25 | £4.2m | £4.1m | +£125k | -£277k | 103 |
2025-26 | £3.3m | £4.4m | -£1.1m | -£1.4m | 101 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 special 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 0% of them. It spends £43,433 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £38,358.
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 | £17,977 | £14,028 | £12,214–£18,045 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £7,961 | £9,133 | £7,321–£12,712 |
Supply staff | £7,000 | £2,178 | £825–£6,083 |
Admin and clerical | £2,514 | £1,719 | £1,142–£2,170 |
Premises | £2,207 | £1,963 | £1,586–£2,910 |
Energy | £341 | £551 | £337–£801 |
Learning resources & ICT | £1,136 | £1,028 | £707–£1,783 |
Bought-in services | £2,777 | £2,345 | £696–£5,513 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Wandle Valley Academy Large reserves
- Chaffinch Brook School In deficit
- New Rush Hall School Large reserves
- The Cedars Primary School In deficit
- Haymerle School Large reserves
- Oak Lodge School Large reserves
- Tuke School Large reserves
- Lansdowne School Healthy
- Spa School Camberwell Large reserves
- Samuel Rhodes MLD School Large reserves
- Beckmead Park Academy In deficit
- Ormiston Kensington Queensmill Academy Tight
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £3.2m | £31,787 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £1.7m | £16,812 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £101k | £1,002 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £60k | £595 |
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?
- Spending on supply staff is £7,000 a pupil, against a typical £2,178 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on admin and clerical is £2,514 a pupil, against a typical £1,719 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 New Woodlands School · All Lewisham school finances