Chessbrook Education Support Centre: school finances
Large reserves
Holds £1.6m in reserve, 45% of a year's income.
Latest full year 2025-26, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Hertfordshire · Not applicable · Pupil referral unit.
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 | £2.2m | £2.2m | +£26k | £245k | 33 |
2019-20 | £2.4m | £2.2m | +£170k | £415k | 27 |
2020-21 | £2.6m | £2.2m | +£410k | £825k | 32 |
2021-22 | £2.7m | £2.5m | +£191k | £1.0m | 19 |
2022-23 | £2.8m | £2.7m | +£87k | £1.1m | 25 |
2023-24 | £3.1m | £3.0m | +£70k | £1.2m | 21 |
2024-25 | £3.5m | £3.2m | +£281k | £1.5m | 29 |
2025-26 | £3.4m | £3.3m | +£108k | £1.6m | 29 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 alternative-provision 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 93% of them. It spends £114,823 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £39,217.
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 | £50,498 | £17,935 | £14,982–£25,078 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £22,239 | £8,077 | £5,201–£11,609 |
Supply staff | £0 | £977 | £0–£1,687 |
Admin and clerical | £10,019 | £2,969 | £1,539–£4,196 |
Premises | £5,526 | £1,650 | £830–£2,295 |
Energy | £935 | £425 | £268–£662 |
Learning resources & ICT | £2,334 | £1,423 | £1,111–£2,189 |
Bought-in services | £14,681 | £676 | £212–£1,521 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- The Sullivan Centre Large reserves
- Hambleton/Richmondshire Pupil Referral Service Heading for deficit
- Coritani Academy Tight
- Perryfields Primary Pupil Referral Unit Large reserves
- Unity Academy Tight
- OA - Nene Valley Large reserves
- Kettlebrook Short Stay School Large reserves
- Ethos College Large reserves
- Kassia Academy and Support Services Healthy
- South Cumbria Pupil Referral Service In deficit
- Christchurch Learning Centre In deficit
- Links Hatfield Academy Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2025-26
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £2.7m | £92,214 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £1.8m | £61,056 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £2k | £74 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £782k | £26,983 |
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 £14,681 a pupil, against a typical £676 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on admin and clerical is £10,019 a pupil, against a typical £2,969 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on premises is £5,526 a pupil, against a typical £1,650 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 Chessbrook Education Support Centre · All Hertfordshire school finances