Knowsley Junior School: school finances
Large reserves
Holds £233k in reserve, 13% of a year's income.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Oldham · Primary · Foundation 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 | £1.6m | £1.6m | -£15k | £87k | 350 |
2019-20 | £1.7m | £1.7m | -£17k | £70k | 320 |
2020-21 | £1.5m | £1.5m | -£23k | £47k | 314 |
2021-22 | £1.6m | £1.6m | +£25k | £72k | 307 |
2022-23 | £1.7m | £1.8m | -£7k | £65k | 298 |
2023-24 | £1.8m | £1.8m | +£14k | £79k | 313 |
2024-25 | £1.9m | £1.8m | +£108k | £187k | 265 |
2025-26 | £1.8m | £1.8m | +£46k | £233k | 216 |
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 80% of them. It spends £8,241 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £6,925.
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 | £4,362 | £3,256 | £3,016–£3,768 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,216 | £1,385 | £1,042–£1,646 |
Supply staff | £109 | £116 | £43–£233 |
Admin and clerical | £386 | £331 | £281–£406 |
Premises | £404 | £360 | £299–£444 |
Energy | £84 | £97 | £71–£125 |
Learning resources & ICT | £270 | £261 | £227–£360 |
Bought-in services | £582 | £195 | £120–£310 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary Academy Large reserves
- Witton Church Walk CofE Aided Nursery and Primary School In deficit
- All Faiths Children's Academy Tight
- St Thomas CofE Junior and Infant School Large reserves
- St John's Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy Healthy
- English Martyrs Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy In deficit
- St Pius X Catholic Primary School, Barrow Large reserves
- St John's Church of England Primary School Healthy
- Ropery Walk Primary School Large reserves
- The Cathedral School of St Peter and St John RC Primary Healthy
- Twelve Apostles Catholic Primary School Large reserves
- Summerhill Academy Healthy
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £1.7m | £8,007 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £69k | £320 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £134k | £620 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £96k | £445 |
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?
- Could any of the surplus be clawed back under the council's scheme for financing schools?
- Pupil numbers have fallen 38% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on bought-in services is £582 a pupil, against a typical £195 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on teachers is £4,362 a pupil, against a typical £3,256 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 Knowsley Junior School · All Oldham school finances