Sturminster Marshall First School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £44k, 7% 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). Dorset · 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 | £585k | £648k | -£62k | -£30k | 132 |
2019-20 | £638k | £670k | -£32k | -£62k | 133 |
2020-21 | £714k | £694k | +£21k | -£42k | 114 |
2021-22 | £638k | £617k | +£21k | -£21k | 99 |
2022-23 | £631k | £615k | +£16k | -£5k | 86 |
2023-24 | £603k | £613k | -£10k | -£15k | 84 |
2024-25 | £662k | £681k | -£19k | -£34k | 68 |
2025-26 | £671k | £682k | -£11k | -£44k | 49 |
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 17% of them. It spends £13,912 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £11,283.
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 | £6,683 | £5,263 | £4,810–£5,728 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,074 | £1,635 | £1,381–£1,984 |
Supply staff | £790 | £271 | £75–£642 |
Admin and clerical | £1,049 | £576 | £465–£771 |
Premises | £650 | £569 | £446–£756 |
Energy | £143 | £184 | £143–£253 |
Learning resources & ICT | £414 | £522 | £408–£680 |
Bought-in services | £986 | £470 | £235–£734 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Chenies School In deficit
- Berkley Church of England First School Large reserves
- Stoke Row CofE Primary School In deficit
- Longtown Community Primary School Large reserves
- Markington Church of England Primary & Nursery School Tight
- Long Preston Endowed Voluntary Aided Primary School Heading for deficit
- Occold Primary School Large reserves
- St Matthew's CofE Primary School Large reserves
- Heptonstall Junior Infant and Nursery School In deficit
- Goodnestone Church of England Primary School Heading for deficit
- Hallaton Church of England Primary School In deficit
- Hinchliffe Mill Junior and Infant School In deficit
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £635k | £12,968 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £14k | £293 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £35k | £721 |
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 63% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on supply staff is £790 a pupil, against a typical £271 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on bought-in services is £986 a pupil, against a typical £470 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on admin and clerical is £1,049 a pupil, against a typical £576 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 Sturminster Marshall First School · All Dorset school finances