The Clare School: school finances
Large reserves
Holds £834k in reserve, 15% of a year's income.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Norfolk · 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 | £2.9m | £3.0m | -£88k | £53k | 101 |
2019-20 | £2.9m | £3.0m | -£45k | £8k | 100 |
2020-21 | £3.1m | £2.9m | +£214k | £222k | 105 |
2021-22 | £3.2m | £3.0m | +£162k | £384k | 115 |
2022-23 | £3.6m | £3.6m | +£33k | £417k | 121 |
2023-24 | £4.5m | £4.3m | +£184k | £600k | 118 |
2024-25 | £4.8m | £4.7m | +£65k | £665k | 128 |
2025-26 | £5.5m | £5.3m | +£170k | £834k | 131 |
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 60% of them. It spends £40,474 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £27,948.
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 | £16,532 | £9,856 | £8,789–£11,244 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £14,798 | £10,675 | £9,448–£13,806 |
Supply staff | £155 | £287 | £100–£800 |
Admin and clerical | £2,172 | £1,204 | £974–£1,469 |
Premises | £3,138 | £1,416 | £1,141–£1,992 |
Energy | £349 | £430 | £242–£499 |
Learning resources & ICT | £1,376 | £810 | £556–£993 |
Bought-in services | £518 | £317 | £155–£1,114 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Lancaster School Large reserves
- Mayfield School Healthy
- Churchward School Tight
- Delamere School Large reserves
- Tiverton School Large reserves
- Two Rivers Primary School Large reserves
- Castle Hill School Large reserves
- Brimble Hill Special School Large reserves
- Saxon Hill Academy Large reserves
- Hebden Green Community School Healthy
- The Collett School Large reserves
- Red Kite Academy Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £5.2m | £40,041 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £3.3m | £24,948 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £82k | £625 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £226k | £1,728 |
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?
- Spending on premises is £3,138 a pupil, against a typical £1,416 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on admin and clerical is £2,172 a pupil, against a typical £1,204 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on learning resources & ict is £1,376 a pupil, against a typical £810 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on teachers is £16,532 a pupil, against a typical £9,856 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 Clare School · All Norfolk school finances