High Spen Primary School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £107k, 8% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received. It has spent more than it received for 2 years running.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Gateshead · 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 | £978k | £980k | -£3k | £87k | 180 |
2019-20 | £1.0m | £1.1m | -£45k | £42k | 179 |
2020-21 | £1.1m | £1.0m | +£64k | £106k | 186 |
2021-22 | £1.2m | £1.2m | -£20k | £86k | 196 |
2022-23 | £1.2m | £1.2m | +£24k | £109k | 192 |
2023-24 | £1.3m | £1.2m | +£4k | £113k | 184 |
2024-25 | £1.3m | £1.4m | -£47k | £66k | 176 |
2025-26 | £1.3m | £1.4m | -£172k | -£107k | 166 |
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 10% of them. It spends £8,706 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £7,613.
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 | £4,317 | £3,561 | £3,178–£3,884 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,855 | £1,520 | £1,037–£1,771 |
Supply staff | £87 | £167 | £78–£241 |
Admin and clerical | £396 | £365 | £321–£460 |
Premises | £633 | £397 | £290–£486 |
Energy | £191 | £120 | £97–£171 |
Learning resources & ICT | £177 | £307 | £248–£404 |
Bought-in services | £268 | £208 | £149–£314 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Petworth Cof E Primary School Large reserves
- Marsden Junior School Healthy
- Greenside Primary School In deficit
- Westonzoyland Community Primary School Large reserves
- Moorside Primary School & Nursery Tight
- Sexton's Manor Primary School Heading for deficit
- St George's CofE Primary School Healthy
- Curry Rivel Church of England VC Primary School Healthy
- Blaydon West Primary School Large reserves
- Watlington Community Primary School Large reserves
- Westwood Primary School Tight
- Holy Trinity CofE (C) Primary School Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £1.2m | £7,436 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £41k | £250 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £75k | £453 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £38k | £229 |
Money raised by parents
FRIENDS OF HIGH SPEN PRIMARY SCHOOL (charity 1149934, Registered) raised £7k in its latest year.
| Year ending | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
2025-08 | £7k | £2k |
2024-08 | £10k | £2k |
2023-08 | £6k | £10k |
2022-08 | £7k | £10k |
2021-08 | £4k | £5k |
Matched to this school by name and postcode from the Charity Commission register. Parent associations' money isn't in the school's accounts above.
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 8% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on energy is £191 a pupil, against a typical £120 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on premises is £633 a pupil, against a typical £397 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on teachers is £4,317 a pupil, against a typical £3,561 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 High Spen Primary School · All Gateshead school finances