St Ambrose Barlow Roman Catholic High School: school finances
Tight
Holds £105k in reserve, under 3% of a year's income: little room for surprises.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Salford · Secondary · Voluntary aided 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 | £6.9m | £7.4m | -£562k | -£1.1m | 1,105 |
2019-20 | £6.8m | £7.0m | -£224k | -£1.3m | 1,041 |
2020-21 | £7.0m | £6.9m | +£75k | -£1.2m | 1,027 |
2021-22 | £7.3m | £6.9m | +£398k | -£818k | 1,042 |
2022-23 | £7.9m | £7.6m | +£300k | -£517k | 1,082 |
2023-24 | £8.7m | £8.4m | +£336k | -£181k | 1,083 |
2024-25 | £9.4m | £9.1m | +£284k | £102k | 1,068 |
2025-26 | £9.7m | £9.7m | +£3k | £105k | 1,081 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 secondary 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 13% of them. It spends £8,963 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £7,618.
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 | £4,643 | £4,306 | £4,096–£4,514 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,161 | £846 | £633–£1,053 |
Supply staff | £113 | £110 | £63–£203 |
Admin and clerical | £644 | £465 | £376–£672 |
Premises | £1,312 | £370 | £295–£491 |
Energy | £0 | £147 | £112–£180 |
Learning resources & ICT | £369 | £448 | £395–£563 |
Bought-in services | £387 | £96 | £48–£223 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Biddick Academy Large reserves
- Upper Shirley High School Healthy
- The Stourport High School and Sixth Form College In deficit
- Little Lever School Large reserves
- Harris Academy Riverside In deficit
- King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls Large reserves
- Tudor Grange Academy Worcester Tight
- Skinners' Kent Academy Heading for deficit
- Parrenthorn High School Large reserves
- Crofton Academy Large reserves
- Oulton Academy Large reserves
- Kingsdown School Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £9.6m | £8,888 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £277k | £256 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £328k | £303 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £84k | £78 |
Questions to ask the school
Useful for parents, governors and PTA committees.
- What would the school do if costs rose unexpectedly, such as energy or a pay award that isn't fully funded?
- Spending on bought-in services is £387 a pupil, against a typical £96 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on premises is £1,312 a pupil, against a typical £370 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on support staff (e.g. tas) is £1,161 a pupil, against a typical £846 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 St Ambrose Barlow Roman Catholic High School · All Salford school finances