The Lodestar Academy: school finances
Tight
Holds £633 in reserve, under 3% of a year's income: little room for surprises.
Latest full year 2024-25, as a academy (accounts return, September–August). Torbay · Not applicable · Academy alternative provision sponsor led.
Academies in a trust don't hold money on their own: THE THINKING SCHOOLS 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 | £1.3m | £1.3m | +£11k | £210k | 60 |
2019-20 | £1.4m | £1.3m | +£50k | £179k | 60 |
2020-21 | £1.3m | £1.1m | +£179k | £187k | 50 |
2021-22 | £1.1m | £1.1m | -£32k | £86k | 42 |
2022-23 | £1.3m | £1.3m | -£3k | -£26k | 43 |
2023-24 | £1.4m | £1.3m | +£88k | -£20k | 48 |
2024-25 | £1.5m | £1.1m | +£335k | £633 | 48 |
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 13% of them. It spends £23,729 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £32,360.
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 | £13,250 | £14,661 | £11,260–£20,819 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £4,042 | £7,831 | £4,342–£10,229 |
Supply staff | £1,104 | £949 | £38–£2,092 |
Admin and clerical | £2,375 | £1,625 | £971–£2,377 |
Premises | £62 | £1,158 | £892–£1,702 |
Energy | £-21 | £432 | £288–£686 |
Learning resources & ICT | £646 | £1,429 | £989–£1,916 |
Bought-in services | £271 | £251 | £91–£1,477 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Springwell Alternative Academy Grantham Large reserves
- Caradon Alternative Provision Academy Large reserves
- Castle School Tight
- OA - Cambridge Large reserves
- Stansfield Academy Large reserves
- Springwell Alternative Academy Spalding Large reserves
- Chaselea Alternative Provision Academy Large reserves
- Arbour Academy Healthy
- Rivers Education Support Centre Large reserves
- Rowhill School In deficit
- Springwell Alternative Academy Large reserves
- Newbridge School Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2024-25
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £1.5m | £30,708 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £719k | £14,979 |
Questions to ask the school
Useful for parents, governors and PTA committees.
- What would the school do if costs rose unexpectedly, such as energy or a pay award that isn't fully funded?
- Pupil numbers have fallen 20% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
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 Lodestar Academy · All Torbay school finances