Columbia Market Nursery School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £104k, 24% 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). Tower Hamlets · Nursery · Local authority nursery 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 | £586k | £674k | -£88k | £80k | 53 |
2019-20 | £765k | £674k | +£91k | £170k | 74 |
2020-21 | £649k | £606k | +£42k | £213k | 59 |
2021-22 | £689k | £668k | +£20k | £233k | 46 |
2022-23 | £521k | £651k | -£130k | £104k | 40 |
2023-24 | £495k | £644k | -£148k | -£45k | 34 |
2024-25 | £539k | £603k | -£64k | -£109k | 32 |
2025-26 | £432k | £427k | +£5k | -£104k | 38 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 nursery 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 23% of them. It spends £11,083 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £18,434.
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 | £6,013 | £4,849 | £3,257–£6,695 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £3,755 | £6,859 | £4,945–£7,943 |
Supply staff | £0 | £120 | £9–£311 |
Admin and clerical | £1,803 | £1,317 | £941–£1,664 |
Premises | £-2,424 | £1,164 | £694–£1,784 |
Energy | £399 | £183 | £133–£296 |
Learning resources & ICT | £332 | £328 | £225–£400 |
Bought-in services | £476 | £789 | £418–£2,158 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Alice Model Nursery School In deficit
- Portman Early Childhood Centre Tight
- Clyde Nursery School. In deficit
- James Lee Nursery School Heading for deficit
- Tachbrook Nursery School Large reserves
- Chelsea Open Air Nursery School Large reserves
- Vanessa Nursery School Large reserves
- Mary Paterson Nursery School Healthy
- Effra Nursery School and Children's Centre In deficit
- Fawood Nursery School & Family Wellbeing Centre Large reserves
- Nell Gwynn Nursery School Tight
- Granville Plus Nursery School In deficit
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £424k | £11,006 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £8k | £211 |
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 27% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on energy is £399 a pupil, against a typical £183 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 Columbia Market Nursery School · All Tower Hamlets school finances