Shillington Lower School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £288k, 35% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received. It has spent more than it received for 5 years running.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Central Bedfordshire · 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 | £661k | £686k | -£24k | £64k | 130 |
2019-20 | £686k | £725k | -£40k | £24k | 138 |
2020-21 | £771k | £764k | +£7k | £31k | 134 |
2021-22 | £802k | £817k | -£15k | £16k | 122 |
2022-23 | £792k | £892k | -£100k | -£84k | 130 |
2023-24 | £901k | £910k | -£9k | -£92k | 116 |
2024-25 | £867k | £932k | -£65k | -£157k | 95 |
2025-26 | £812k | £942k | -£130k | -£288k | 90 |
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 0% of them. It spends £10,530 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £8,269.
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 | £3,980 | £4,020 | £3,563–£4,491 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £3,549 | £1,332 | £1,149–£1,827 |
Supply staff | £13 | £116 | £63–£400 |
Admin and clerical | £492 | £429 | £376–£507 |
Premises | £327 | £383 | £293–£459 |
Energy | £154 | £122 | £87–£140 |
Learning resources & ICT | £351 | £416 | £301–£611 |
Bought-in services | £210 | £190 | £68–£504 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- North Marston Church of England School Healthy
- Wootton Wawen CofE Primary School Large reserves
- Wreay Church of England Primary School Large reserves
- Summerseat Methodist Primary School Large reserves
- Garboldisham Church of England Primary Academy Tight
- Swaffham Bulbeck Church of England Primary School Healthy
- Oakley Church of England Combined School Large reserves
- Thornton Watlass Church of England Primary School Heading for deficit
- Crowcombe CofE VA Primary School Large reserves
- Bridestowe Primary School Healthy
- Shap Endowed CofE Primary School Large reserves
- Yardley Gobion Church of England Primary School Heading for deficit
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £728k | £8,131 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £46k | £513 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £19k | £215 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £84k | £943 |
Money raised by parents
SHILLINGTON LOWER SCHOOL PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (charity 1030982, Registered) raised £4k in its latest year.
| Year ending | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
2025-08 | £4k | £3k |
2024-08 | £10k | £18k |
2023-08 | £7k | £6k |
2022-08 | £6k | £3k |
2021-08 | £4k | £4k |
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 31% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on support staff (e.g. tas) is £3,549 a pupil, against a typical £1,332 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on energy is £154 a pupil, against a typical £122 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- How does the school decide what the money the parents' association raises is spent on?
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 Shillington Lower School · All Central Bedfordshire school finances