West Coker CofE VC Primary School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £38k, 8% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received. It has spent more than it received for 4 years running.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Somerset · 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 | £427k | £404k | +£23k | £91k | 48 |
2019-20 | £343k | £374k | -£31k | £59k | 37 |
2020-21 | £407k | £379k | +£28k | £87k | 35 |
2021-22 | £331k | £312k | +£19k | £106k | 26 |
2022-23 | £346k | £346k | -£104 | £105k | 29 |
2023-24 | £391k | £410k | -£19k | £86k | 31 |
2024-25 | £436k | £535k | -£99k | -£12k | 28 |
2025-26 | £489k | £515k | -£25k | -£38k | 27 |
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 10% of them. It spends £19,066 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £14,556.
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 | £8,662 | £6,505 | £4,618–£7,839 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £3,833 | £2,845 | £1,977–£3,919 |
Supply staff | £1,395 | £236 | £99–£586 |
Admin and clerical | £1,224 | £810 | £611–£992 |
Premises | £678 | £829 | £616–£1,074 |
Energy | £73 | £268 | £176–£374 |
Learning resources & ICT | £1,009 | £636 | £376–£921 |
Bought-in services | £1,018 | £315 | £120–£593 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Sherburn Church of England Primary Academy Heading for deficit
- Hemswell Cliff Primary School Heading for deficit
- Ellenborough Academy Large reserves
- Linton Primary School In deficit
- Polruan Primary Academy Healthy
- St Mary's & St Peter's Church School Large reserves
- Queensway Primary School In deficit
- Stoke-by-Nayland Church of England Primary School Large reserves
- Leadenham Church of England Academy Healthy
- St Margaret's Catholic Voluntary Academy In deficit
- The Harrowby Church of England Primary School Heading for deficit
- Luttons Community Primary Academy Tight
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £481k | £17,815 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £24k | £898 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £8k | £310 |
Money raised by parents
WEST COKER SCHOOL PTFA (charity 1102019, Registered) raised £4k in its latest year.
| Year ending | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
2025-08 | £4k | £2k |
2024-08 | £3k | £2k |
2023-08 | £419 | £841 |
2022-08 | £2k | £2k |
2021-08 | £895 | £69 |
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.
- 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 44% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on supply staff is £1,395 a pupil, against a typical £236 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on bought-in services is £1,018 a pupil, against a typical £315 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on admin and clerical is £1,224 a pupil, against a typical £810 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 West Coker CofE VC Primary School · All Somerset school finances