Wistanstow CofE Primary School: school finances
Heading for deficit
Has spent more than it received for 2 years running; at that rate its £15k reserve runs out in about 1 year.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Shropshire · Primary · Voluntary controlled 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 | £313k | £322k | -£9k | £20k | 57 |
2019-20 | £346k | £331k | +£16k | £36k | 58 |
2020-21 | £372k | £346k | +£26k | £62k | 62 |
2021-22 | £437k | £429k | +£9k | £71k | 65 |
2022-23 | £512k | £524k | -£12k | £58k | 72 |
2023-24 | £605k | £573k | +£32k | £91k | 61 |
2024-25 | £584k | £634k | -£50k | £41k | 52 |
2025-26 | £552k | £578k | -£26k | £15k | 51 |
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 30% of them. It spends £11,327 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £10,052.
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 | £4,965 | £5,062 | £4,611–£5,560 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £2,322 | £1,399 | £1,129–£1,620 |
Supply staff | £271 | £153 | £56–£281 |
Admin and clerical | £620 | £555 | £459–£836 |
Premises | £613 | £529 | £385–£734 |
Energy | £28 | £191 | £134–£232 |
Learning resources & ICT | £852 | £519 | £389–£799 |
Bought-in services | £582 | £342 | £180–£585 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Crowton Christ Church CofE Primary School In deficit
- Brington Primary School Healthy
- Duncton CofE Junior School Healthy
- Austwick Church of England VA Primary School Healthy
- North Cerney Church of England Primary Academy Healthy
- Spratton Church of England Primary School Large reserves
- Hillesley Church of England Primary School In deficit
- Beckbury Church of England Primary School and Nursery Healthy
- St Matthew's CofE School Heading for deficit
- Dean Barwick Primary School Large reserves
- Ashurst CofE Primary School Healthy
- Hawes Primary School Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £525k | £10,292 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £65k | £1,272 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £6k | £119 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £27k | £533 |
Questions to ask the school
Useful for parents, governors and PTA committees.
- What is the plan to stop spending more than the school receives each year?
- Pupil numbers have fallen 11% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on support staff (e.g. tas) is £2,322 a pupil, against a typical £1,399 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 Wistanstow CofE Primary School · All Shropshire school finances