Rufford CofE School: school finances
Large reserves
Holds £82k in reserve, 9% of a year's income.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Lancashire · 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 | £691k | £694k | -£3k | £57k | 130 |
2019-20 | £719k | £711k | +£8k | £65k | 130 |
2020-21 | £688k | £658k | +£30k | £95k | 138 |
2021-22 | £756k | £750k | +£5k | £100k | 144 |
2022-23 | £833k | £860k | -£28k | £72k | 139 |
2023-24 | £882k | £875k | +£8k | £80k | 130 |
2024-25 | £946k | £936k | +£10k | £90k | 122 |
2025-26 | £945k | £952k | -£8k | £82k | 114 |
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 57% of them. It spends £8,353 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £7,448.
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 | £4,177 | £3,421 | £3,226–£3,756 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,069 | £1,376 | £1,192–£1,731 |
Supply staff | £134 | £108 | £43–£234 |
Admin and clerical | £371 | £379 | £293–£505 |
Premises | £368 | £370 | £285–£472 |
Energy | £151 | £109 | £69–£133 |
Learning resources & ICT | £252 | £381 | £287–£486 |
Bought-in services | £608 | £249 | £126–£338 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- St Giles CofE Primary School Large reserves
- St John the Baptist CofE Primary School In deficit
- Newtown Linford Primary School Large reserves
- Tilston Parochial CofE Primary Academy Healthy
- Stainton CofE Primary School Large reserves
- Holme Primary School Healthy
- Robert Piggott CofE Infant School In deficit
- Grendon Church of England Primary School Healthy
- Combe CofE Primary School Large reserves
- West Bretton Junior and Infant School Large reserves
- Halwill Community Primary School Healthy
- Bolham Community Primary School Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £851k | £7,462 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £15k | £127 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £25k | £218 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £94k | £823 |
Money raised by parents
FRIENDS OF RUFFORD SCHOOL (charity 1112269, Registered) raised £5k in its latest year.
| Year ending | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
2025-07 | £5k | £6k |
2024-07 | £9k | £12k |
2023-07 | £8k | £7k |
2022-07 | £11k | £4k |
2021-07 | £12k | £12k |
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.
- What are the reserves set aside for, and when will they be spent on current pupils?
- Could any of the surplus be clawed back under the council's scheme for financing schools?
- Pupil numbers have fallen 12% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on bought-in services is £608 a pupil, against a typical £249 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on energy is £151 a pupil, against a typical £109 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on teachers is £4,177 a pupil, against a typical £3,421 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 Rufford CofE School · All Lancashire school finances