The Academy of Central Bedfordshire: school finances
Large reserves
Holds £1.1m in reserve, 25% of a year's income. It has been drawing on it for 2 years.
Latest full year 2024-25, as a academy (accounts return, September–August). Central Bedfordshire · Not applicable · Free schools alternative provision.
Academies in a trust don't hold money on their own: THE ACADEMY OF CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE 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 | £2.9m | £2.8m | +£118k | £440k | 86 |
2019-20 | £2.8m | £981k | +£1.9m | £731k | 91 |
2020-21 | £3.2m | £2.9m | +£317k | £1.1m | 97 |
2021-22 | £3.3m | £3.0m | +£316k | £1.4m | 104 |
2022-23 | £3.4m | £3.4m | +£21k | £1.3m | 62 |
2023-24 | £3.7m | £3.9m | -£231k | £1.1m | 74 |
2024-25 | £4.3m | £4.3m | -£16k | £1.1m | 121 |
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 87% of them. It spends £35,512 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £27,197.
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 | £22,446 | £12,719 | £10,232–£15,979 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £0 | £4,358 | £3,303–£5,947 |
Supply staff | £1,231 | £687 | £144–£1,455 |
Admin and clerical | £702 | £1,493 | £1,013–£1,911 |
Premises | £1,289 | £1,262 | £969–£1,714 |
Energy | £1,372 | £301 | £220–£413 |
Learning resources & ICT | £2,446 | £1,423 | £1,063–£1,847 |
Bought-in services | £182 | £852 | £342–£1,968 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Shaftesbury High School Healthy
- Mid Essex Co-Operative Academy Large reserves
- McKee College House Large reserves
- East Sussex Academy Tight
- Herefordshire Pupil Referral Service Large reserves
- St Thomas's Centre Large reserves
- North East Essex Co-operative Academy In deficit
- Pinderfields Hospital PRU Large reserves
- The Bridge Education Centre Large reserves
- Trafford Alternative Education Provision Healthy
- The Ladder School In deficit
- River Tyne Academy Gateshead Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2024-25
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £4.3m | £35,760 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £20k | £165 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £36k | £298 |
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?
- Spending on energy is £1,372 a pupil, against a typical £301 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on teachers is £22,446 a pupil, against a typical £12,719 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on learning resources & ict is £2,446 a pupil, against a typical £1,423 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 Academy of Central Bedfordshire · All Central Bedfordshire school finances