The Catholic High School, Chester: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £389k, 4% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received. It has spent more than it received for 3 years running.
Latest full year 2024-25, as a academy (accounts return, September–August). Cheshire West and Chester · Secondary · Academy converter.
Academies in a trust don't hold money on their own: THE CHESTER CATHOLIC ACADEMIES PARTNERSHIP 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 | £8.8m | £8.7m | +£25k | -£79k | 876 |
2019-20 | £8.7m | £8.6m | +£101k | £22k | 853 |
2020-21 | £8.8m | £8.4m | +£339k | £361k | 843 |
2021-22 | £9.1m | £9.0m | +£122k | £483k | 835 |
2022-23 | £9.4m | £9.8m | -£344k | £139k | 816 |
2023-24 | £9.4m | £10.0m | -£526k | -£387k | 806 |
2024-25 | £10.2m | £10.2m | -£2k | -£389k | 809 |
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 10% of them. It spends £12,580 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £7,577.
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 | £4,905 | £4,340 | £4,099–£4,723 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £847 | £811 | £604–£905 |
Supply staff | £310 | £109 | £57–£213 |
Admin and clerical | £565 | £407 | £332–£546 |
Premises | £459 | £394 | £316–£551 |
Energy | £158 | £140 | £119–£177 |
Learning resources & ICT | £574 | £457 | £344–£574 |
Bought-in services | £48 | £82 | £44–£213 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Newmarket Academy Healthy
- Yate Academy Large reserves
- St Bernard's Catholic High School Healthy
- The Sir John Colfox Academy Tight
- Stanchester Academy Healthy
- Robert Barclay Academy Large reserves
- Bury Church of England High School Large reserves
- The Henry Cort Community College Large reserves
- Leigh Academy Rainham Large reserves
- The Orme Academy Large reserves
- Claydon High School Large reserves
- Brownedge St Mary's Catholic High School Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2024-25
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £6.4m | £7,932 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £329k | £407 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £3.6m | £4,491 |
Questions to ask the school
Useful for parents, governors and PTA committees.
- Is there a deficit recovery plan agreed with its trust, 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?
- Spending on supply staff is £310 a pupil, against a typical £109 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 The Catholic High School, Chester · All Cheshire West and Chester school finances