Ark Blacklands Primary Academy: school finances
Large reserves
Holds £790k in reserve, 21% of a year's income.
Latest full year 2024-25, as a academy (accounts return, September–August). East Sussex · Primary · Academy sponsor led.
Academies in a trust don't hold money on their own: ARK SCHOOLS 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 | £2.4m | £2.5m | -£83k | £208k | 583 |
2019-20 | £2.6m | £2.2m | +£399k | £320k | 595 |
2020-21 | £2.6m | £2.4m | +£224k | £426k | 606 |
2021-22 | £3.1m | £2.7m | +£351k | £602k | 623 |
2022-23 | £3.2m | £3.2m | +£82k | £683k | 629 |
2023-24 | £3.3m | £3.3m | +£6k | £547k | 616 |
2024-25 | £3.8m | £3.6m | +£164k | £790k | 627 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 primary 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 90% of them. It spends £5,772 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £6,440.
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 | £2,679 | £2,963 | £2,800–£3,170 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,250 | £1,530 | £1,277–£1,580 |
Supply staff | £0 | £107 | £53–£152 |
Admin and clerical | £707 | £282 | £202–£354 |
Premises | £169 | £273 | £183–£333 |
Energy | £49 | £75 | £63–£88 |
Learning resources & ICT | £344 | £245 | £199–£282 |
Bought-in services | £0 | £149 | £85–£254 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Stoke Hill Junior School Heading for deficit
- Bridge Farm Primary School Healthy
- Icknield Primary School In deficit
- Ladysmith Junior School Large reserves
- Castle Hill Primary School Large reserves
- Mablins Lane Community Primary School In deficit
- St Luke's Primary School In deficit
- Mendip Green Primary School Healthy
- Maidenhall Primary School Large reserves
- Brightlingsea Primary School and Nursery Large reserves
- Brampton Village Primary School Large reserves
- St Andrew's CofE (Aided) Primary School In deficit
Where the money comes from, 2024-25
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £3.7m | £5,927 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £89k | £142 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £67k | £107 |
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 admin and clerical is £707 a pupil, against a typical £282 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on learning resources & ict is £344 a pupil, against a typical £245 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 Ark Blacklands Primary Academy · All East Sussex school finances