The Bridge School: school finances
Tight
Holds £172k 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). Telford and Wrekin · Not applicable · Community 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 | £5.8m | £5.8m | +£26k | £66k | 206 |
2019-20 | £6.4m | £6.3m | +£137k | £203k | 210 |
2020-21 | £6.6m | £6.5m | +£154k | £356k | 207 |
2021-22 | £6.9m | £6.7m | +£187k | £543k | 215 |
2022-23 | £7.3m | £7.6m | -£320k | £223k | 212 |
2023-24 | £8.3m | £8.7m | -£408k | -£186k | 212 |
2024-25 | £9.1m | £9.3m | -£198k | -£384k | 227 |
2025-26 | £10.3m | £9.7m | +£556k | £172k | 238 |
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 13% of them. It spends £40,838 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £27,650.
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 | £11,362 | £10,458 | £8,998–£11,795 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £17,663 | £9,250 | £6,336–£12,827 |
Supply staff | £704 | £323 | £88–£1,115 |
Admin and clerical | £902 | £1,097 | £792–£1,332 |
Premises | £5,623 | £1,440 | £1,163–£1,801 |
Energy | £504 | £368 | £238–£588 |
Learning resources & ICT | £643 | £838 | £663–£1,024 |
Bought-in services | £1,401 | £517 | £260–£1,082 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- St Giles School Large reserves
- Dove House Academy Large reserves
- Abbey Court Foundation Special School Large reserves
- Lansbury Bridge School Large reserves
- Newfield School Large reserves
- Orchard Manor School Healthy
- Castledon School In deficit
- Oakley School Heading for deficit
- The Woodlands School Large reserves
- Morecambe Road School Healthy
- Isebrook School Large reserves
- Sir Tom Finney Community High School Healthy
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £10.0m | £41,838 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £6.8m | £28,307 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £149k | £623 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £345k | £1,447 |
Money raised by parents
The Bridge School Parent & Friends Association (charity 1187567, Registered) raised £4k in its latest year.
| Year ending | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
2025-03 | £4k | £1k |
2024-03 | £2k | £1k |
2023-03 | £2k | £4k |
2022-03 | £3k | £2k |
2021-03 | £2k | £2k |
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 would the school do if costs rose unexpectedly, such as energy or a pay award that isn't fully funded?
- Spending on premises is £5,623 a pupil, against a typical £1,440 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on bought-in services is £1,401 a pupil, against a typical £517 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on support staff (e.g. tas) is £17,663 a pupil, against a typical £9,250 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- How does the school decide what the money the parents' association raises is spent on?
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 Bridge School · All Telford and Wrekin school finances