Links Academy: school finances
Heading for deficit
Has spent more than it received for 3 years running; at that rate its £513k reserve runs out in about 1 year.
Latest full year 2024-25, as a academy (accounts return, September–August). Hertfordshire · Not applicable · Academy alternative provision converter.
Academies in a trust don't hold money on their own: LINKS MULTI ACADEMY 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 | £2.0m | £1.8m | +£151k | £346k | 38 |
2019-20 | £2.2m | £2.2m | -£12k | £335k | 34 |
2020-21 | £1.9m | £1.9m | +£3k | £332k | 31 |
2021-22 | £2.1m | £2.0m | +£128k | £459k | 34 |
2022-23 | £2.3m | £2.5m | -£255k | £511k | — |
2023-24 | £2.4m | £2.9m | -£487k | £563k | 5 |
2024-25 | £2.3m | £2.8m | -£514k | £513k | 42 |
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 67% of them. It spends £66,143 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £32,151.
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 | £29,905 | £14,994 | £13,107–£20,665 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £13,024 | £5,807 | £4,006–£8,208 |
Supply staff | £5,595 | £826 | £348–£1,452 |
Admin and clerical | £5,190 | £1,928 | £905–£2,487 |
Premises | £2,952 | £1,010 | £645–£1,901 |
Energy | £952 | £432 | £224–£513 |
Learning resources & ICT | £3,071 | £1,383 | £921–£2,496 |
Bought-in services | £1,429 | £431 | £130–£1,878 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Daylesford Academy Tight
- Newbridge School Large reserves
- River Dart Academy Large reserves
- Rivers Education Support Centre Large reserves
- Titan Aston Academy In deficit
- Rowhill School In deficit
- The Pinetree School Healthy
- Castle School Tight
- Maple Medical PRU In deficit
- Thamesfield College Large reserves
- Oakfield Lodge School Large reserves
- Caradon Alternative Provision Academy Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2024-25
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £2.4m | £56,976 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £1.6m | £38,143 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £91k | £2,167 |
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?
- Spending on supply staff is £5,595 a pupil, against a typical £826 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on premises is £2,952 a pupil, against a typical £1,010 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on admin and clerical is £5,190 a pupil, against a typical £1,928 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on support staff (e.g. tas) is £13,024 a pupil, against a typical £5,807 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on learning resources & ict is £3,071 a pupil, against a typical £1,383 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 Links Academy · All Hertfordshire school finances