Woodlands School: school finances
Tight
Holds £80k 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). Plymouth · Not applicable · Foundation special 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 | £2.6m | £2.6m | +£46k | £137k | 85 |
2019-20 | £2.6m | £2.7m | -£47k | £90k | 84 |
2020-21 | £3.5m | £3.3m | +£147k | £233k | 86 |
2021-22 | £3.0m | £3.2m | -£150k | £83k | 87 |
2022-23 | £3.3m | £3.3m | +£84k | £168k | 88 |
2023-24 | £3.3m | £3.4m | -£88k | £80k | 84 |
2024-25 | £3.6m | £3.7m | -£43k | £37k | 87 |
2025-26 | £4.2m | £4.2m | +£43k | £80k | 97 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 special 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 7% of them. It spends £42,805 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £31,841.
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 | £11,645 | £11,410 | £9,732–£12,493 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £18,457 | £11,000 | £8,951–£13,049 |
Supply staff | £78 | £285 | £1–£940 |
Admin and clerical | £2,472 | £1,382 | £1,033–£1,754 |
Premises | £3,469 | £1,444 | £1,071–£2,037 |
Energy | £0 | £464 | £302–£578 |
Learning resources & ICT | £886 | £842 | £671–£1,201 |
Bought-in services | £2,321 | £621 | £284–£1,464 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- The Fusion Academy Large reserves
- The Pilgrim School Healthy
- Sunnydown School Large reserves
- Thomas Wolsey Ormiston Academy Tight
- The Chalet School Tight
- Kingfisher School Large reserves
- Springfield School Large reserves
- Limpsfield Grange School Large reserves
- Norman Gate School Large reserves
- Lakeside School Healthy
- Ivy House School Healthy
- Church Lawton School Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £4.2m | £43,105 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £2.9m | £29,628 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £38k | £391 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £14k | £141 |
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 £2,321 a pupil, against a typical £621 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on premises is £3,469 a pupil, against a typical £1,444 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on admin and clerical is £2,472 a pupil, against a typical £1,382 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on support staff (e.g. tas) is £18,457 a pupil, against a typical £11,000 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.
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