South Cumbria Pupil Referral Service: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £310k, 13% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received. It has spent more than it received for 3 years running.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Westmorland and Furness · Not applicable · Pupil referral unit.
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 | £1.5m | £1.6m | -£42k | £135k | 53 |
2019-20 | £1.8m | £1.8m | -£31k | £103k | 56 |
2020-21 | £2.0m | £1.9m | +£87k | £191k | 52 |
2021-22 | £2.2m | £2.0m | +£232k | £422k | 60 |
2022-23 | £2.2m | £2.2m | +£32k | £454k | 60 |
2023-24 | £2.3m | £2.4m | -£82k | £372k | 56 |
2024-25 | £2.3m | £2.6m | -£378k | -£6k | 48 |
2025-26 | £2.3m | £2.6m | -£303k | -£310k | 33 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 alternative-provision 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 3% of them. It spends £79,905 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £40,455.
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 | £43,516 | £16,969 | £13,409–£23,411 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £8,020 | £7,983 | £4,095–£11,192 |
Supply staff | £0 | £1,071 | £184–£2,034 |
Admin and clerical | £7,876 | £2,611 | £1,938–£3,205 |
Premises | £4,222 | £1,522 | £911–£2,074 |
Energy | £1,286 | £418 | £276–£626 |
Learning resources & ICT | £1,685 | £1,482 | £1,115–£2,823 |
Bought-in services | £103 | £613 | £153–£1,474 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Park School Teaching Service Large reserves
- Restormel Academy Large reserves
- Unity Academy Tight
- Derby Pride Academy Large reserves
- The Levett School In deficit
- Christchurch Learning Centre In deficit
- Links Hatfield Academy Large reserves
- Hambleton/Richmondshire Pupil Referral Service Heading for deficit
- The Sullivan Centre Large reserves
- Burton PRU Large reserves
- Tor School Large reserves
- Cedars - Newcastle, Moorlands and Darwin Bases Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £2.3m | £69,606 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £945 | £29 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £24k | £727 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £36k | £1,104 |
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 38% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on energy is £1,286 a pupil, against a typical £418 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on admin and clerical is £7,876 a pupil, against a typical £2,611 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on premises is £4,222 a pupil, against a typical £1,522 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 South Cumbria Pupil Referral Service · All Westmorland and Furness school finances