Walsall Studio School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £356k, 21% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received. It has spent more than it received for 2 years running.
Latest full year 2024-25, as a academy (accounts return, September–August). Walsall · Secondary · Studio schools.
Academies in a trust don't hold money on their own: THE MERCIAN 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 | £1.9m | £1.9m | +£37k | £142k | 277 |
2019-20 | £2.0m | £1.7m | +£210k | £202k | 265 |
2020-21 | £2.1m | £1.9m | +£196k | £256k | 253 |
2021-22 | £2.0m | £2.0m | +£26k | £182k | 260 |
2022-23 | £2.2m | £1.8m | +£422k | £428k | 188 |
2023-24 | £1.8m | £1.8m | -£74k | £0 | 179 |
2024-25 | £1.7m | £2.1m | -£459k | -£356k | 185 |
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 £11,524 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £9,569.
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 | £6,243 | £4,790 | £4,344–£5,491 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £870 | £938 | £710–£1,347 |
Supply staff | £411 | £237 | £119–£362 |
Admin and clerical | £741 | £520 | £387–£795 |
Premises | £1,000 | £537 | £353–£666 |
Energy | £438 | £248 | £164–£354 |
Learning resources & ICT | £508 | £492 | £366–£742 |
Bought-in services | £265 | £147 | £73–£230 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Aylesbury UTC In deficit
- Beccles High School Healthy
- South Devon UTC In deficit
- Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio In deficit
- Monkseaton Coastal School In deficit
- Star Radcliffe Academy Tight
- Beacon Hill Community School In deficit
- North East Futures UTC In deficit
- XP Gateshead Tight
- River Academy Healthy
- Dixons Newall Green Academy Large reserves
- Oasis Academy Temple Quarter Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2024-25
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £1.6m | £8,697 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £44k | £238 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £64k | £346 |
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?
- Pupil numbers have fallen 33% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on premises is £1,000 a pupil, against a typical £537 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on bought-in services is £265 a pupil, against a typical £147 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on energy is £438 a pupil, against a typical £248 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 Walsall Studio School · All Walsall school finances