The Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £14k, 2% 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). Halton · Primary · 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 | £701k | £694k | +£7k | £27k | 107 |
2019-20 | £760k | £792k | -£32k | -£5k | 116 |
2020-21 | £861k | £782k | +£79k | £75k | 111 |
2021-22 | £855k | £891k | -£36k | £39k | 112 |
2022-23 | £921k | £956k | -£35k | £4k | 109 |
2023-24 | £1.0m | £1.0m | +£4k | £7k | 100 |
2024-25 | £870k | £965k | -£95k | -£88k | 94 |
2025-26 | £896k | £882k | +£13k | -£14k | 75 |
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 £11,766 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £9,977.
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 | £5,858 | £4,479 | £3,907–£5,096 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,427 | £1,855 | £1,228–£2,197 |
Supply staff | £844 | £189 | £99–£509 |
Admin and clerical | £489 | £543 | £436–£734 |
Premises | £618 | £647 | £480–£707 |
Energy | £374 | £185 | £120–£274 |
Learning resources & ICT | £355 | £341 | £289–£477 |
Bought-in services | £1,040 | £286 | £126–£438 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Kinderley Primary School Large reserves
- Netherfield Infant School (Welbeck Federation of Schools) Healthy
- Sundridge and Brasted Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Large reserves
- Binbrook CofE Primary School Tight
- Woodhall Primary School Large reserves
- St Marys Catholic Primary School, Wingate In deficit
- St Swithun's Church of England Primary Academy Healthy
- Christ Church Sowerby Bridge CofE (VA) Primary School In deficit
- Frodsham Primary Academy Large reserves
- Adderlane Academy Healthy
- Burnhope Primary School Tight
- Holbeach Bank Primary Academy Healthy
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £893k | £11,900 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £69k | £920 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £82k | £1,095 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £23k | £311 |
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 30% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on supply staff is £844 a pupil, against a typical £189 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on bought-in services is £1,040 a pupil, against a typical £286 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on energy is £374 a pupil, against a typical £185 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 The Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School · All Halton school finances