St John's Meads Church of England Primary School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £428k, 37% 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). East Sussex · Primary · Academy converter.
Academies in a trust don't hold money on their own: DIOCESE OF CHICHESTER ACADEMY TRUST can move money between its schools. The reserve includes this school's per-pupil share of the trust's central reserve.
Earlier years come from this school's return before it became an academy (a different DfE number).
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 | £956k | £930k | +£26k | £90k | 215 |
2020-21 | £1.1m | £1.0m | +£45k | £94k | 217 |
2021-22 | £1.1m | £1.1m | +£14k | £63k | 215 |
2022-23 | £1.2m | £1.2m | -£3k | £15k | 216 |
2023-24 | £1.2m | £1.4m | -£147k | -£181k | 201 |
2024-25 | £1.2m | £1.4m | -£192k | -£428k | 182 |
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 3% of them. It spends £7,473 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £6,624.
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 | £4,104 | £3,252 | £2,898–£3,441 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £1,407 | £1,336 | £1,022–£1,621 |
Supply staff | £44 | £86 | £33–£217 |
Admin and clerical | £396 | £263 | £205–£408 |
Premises | £401 | £299 | £245–£368 |
Energy | £115 | £88 | £74–£117 |
Learning resources & ICT | £187 | £293 | £243–£443 |
Bought-in services | £165 | £141 | £61–£222 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Ashbrook School In deficit
- St Simon's Catholic Primary School Healthy
- Wicklewood Primary School and Nursery In deficit
- St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Large reserves
- William Westley Church of England VC Primary School Healthy
- St John's CofE Primary School Large reserves
- Shustoke CofE Primary School In deficit
- Bailiffe Bridge Junior and Infant School Large reserves
- Brent Knoll Church of England Primary School Large reserves
- Crondall Primary School Tight
- St Maxentius CofE Primary School Large reserves
- Girton Glebe Primary School In deficit
Where the money comes from, 2024-25
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £1.2m | £6,434 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £38k | £209 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £50k | £275 |
Money raised by parents
FRIENDS OF ST. JOHN'S MEADS CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION (charity 1106227, Registered) raised £12k in its latest year.
| Year ending | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
2026-08 | £12k | £12k |
2025-08 | £5k | £7k |
2024-08 | £11k | £9k |
2023-08 | £11k | £10k |
2022-08 | £11k | £9k |
Matched to this school by name and postcode from the Charity Commission register. Parent associations' money isn't in the school's accounts above.
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 15% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on teachers is £4,104 a pupil, against a typical £3,252 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- How does the school decide what the money the parents' association raises is spent on?
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.
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