Sharnbrook Academy: school finances
Large reserves
Holds £719k in reserve, 6% of a year's income.
Latest full year 2024-25, as a academy (accounts return, September–August). Bedford · Secondary · Academy converter.
Academies in a trust don't hold money on their own: MERIDIAN TRUST can move money between its schools. The reserve includes this school's per-pupil share of the trust's central reserve.
Reserve at the end of each year, 2018-19 to 2024-25
Income and spending, 2018-19 to 2024-25
Income Spending
Show the figures as a table
| Year | Income | Spending | Balance | Reserve | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018-19 | £11.4m | £9.4m | +£2.0m | £0 | 1,983 |
2019-20 | £10.6m | £9.5m | +£1.1m | £0 | 1,855 |
2020-21 | £11.0m | £9.4m | +£1.6m | £0 | 1,862 |
2021-22 | £10.9m | £10.9m | -£8k | £535k | 1,806 |
2022-23 | £11.3m | £10.6m | +£713k | £643k | 1,741 |
2023-24 | £11.9m | £11.1m | +£743k | £654k | 1,670 |
2024-25 | £12.3m | £11.6m | +£644k | £719k | 1,686 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 secondary 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 £6,891 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £7,118.
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 | £4,143 | £4,222 | £3,942–£4,365 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £541 | £689 | £491–£830 |
Supply staff | £84 | £57 | £23–£158 |
Admin and clerical | £460 | £385 | £345–£468 |
Premises | £383 | £331 | £259–£437 |
Energy | £234 | £136 | £109–£153 |
Learning resources & ICT | £560 | £508 | £427–£686 |
Bought-in services | £9 | £65 | £36–£88 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Durham Johnston Comprehensive School Healthy
- Otley Prince Henry's Grammar School Specialist Language College Large reserves
- Rainford High School Large reserves
- Uckfield College Heading for deficit
- Thomas Telford School Large reserves
- Upton-by-Chester High School Tight
- Ashton-on-Mersey School Large reserves
- Horsforth School Large reserves
- Redborne Upper School and Community College Tight
- The Blue Coat CofE School Large reserves
- Bridgewater High School Large reserves
- St Martin's School Brentwood Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2024-25
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £12.0m | £7,132 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £206k | £122 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £238k | £141 |
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?
- Pupil numbers have fallen 15% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on energy is £234 a pupil, against a typical £136 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.
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