Lime Tree Primary Academy: school finances
Tight
Holds £39k 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). Central Bedfordshire · Primary · Academy sponsor led.
Academies in a trust don't hold money on their own: TENNYSON LEARNING COMMUNITY 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 | £2.2m | £2.3m | -£67k | £224k | 358 |
2019-20 | £1.9m | £2.0m | -£54k | £170k | 314 |
2021-22 | £1.8m | £1.7m | +£170k | £84k | 288 |
2022-23 | £1.7m | £1.6m | +£129k | £131k | 280 |
2023-24 | £1.8m | £1.7m | +£71k | £123k | 295 |
2024-25 | £1.9m | £1.7m | +£188k | £39k | 314 |
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 13% of them. It spends £5,452 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £6,967.
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 | £1,952 | £3,142 | £2,999–£3,517 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £2,134 | £1,421 | £1,173–£1,855 |
Supply staff | £6 | £155 | £48–£250 |
Admin and clerical | £175 | £304 | £240–£365 |
Premises | £318 | £418 | £318–£463 |
Energy | £134 | £98 | £75–£127 |
Learning resources & ICT | £197 | £272 | £165–£308 |
Bought-in services | £51 | £185 | £72–£250 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Elson Junior School Tight
- Gatehouse Primary Academy Healthy
- Beckers Green Primary School Healthy
- Long Lee Primary School Large reserves
- Sandy Lane Primary School Large reserves
- D'Eyncourt Primary School Large reserves
- Teesville Academy Large reserves
- Fixby Junior and Infant School In deficit
- Church Drive Primary School Healthy
- Selby Abbey Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School In deficit
- St Christopher's Church of England School, Cowley Large reserves
- Brooke Primary Academy Large reserves
Where the money comes from, 2024-25
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £1.9m | £5,968 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £53k | £169 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £26k | £83 |
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 12% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on support staff (e.g. tas) is £2,134 a pupil, against a typical £1,421 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 Lime Tree Primary Academy · All Central Bedfordshire school finances