Willow Park School: school finances
In deficit
In deficit by £2.1m, 77% of a year's income: it has spent more over the years than it received. It has spent more than it received for 5 years running.
Latest full year 2023-24, as a council-run school (CFR return, April–March). Sheffield · Not applicable · Academy special sponsor led.
Earlier years come from this school's return before it became an academy (a different DfE number).
A 2024-25 return is published too, but it covers part of a year or leaves out the income or reserve figure, so the latest complete year is shown.
Reserve at the end of each year, 2018-19 to 2023-24
Income and spending, 2018-19 to 2023-24
Income Spending
Show the figures as a table
| Year | Income | Spending | Balance | Reserve | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018-19 | £2.8m | £2.6m | +£263k | £8k | 124 |
2019-20 | £2.8m | £2.9m | -£77k | -£69k | 114 |
2020-21 | £2.4m | £2.9m | -£528k | -£596k | 107 |
2021-22 | £2.6m | £3.1m | -£443k | -£1.0m | 107 |
2022-23 | £2.6m | £3.2m | -£559k | -£1.6m | 96 |
2023-24 | £2.7m | £3.2m | -£471k | -£2.1m | 92 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 special 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 0% of them. It spends £34,462 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £33,145.
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 | £13,696 | £13,132 | £10,878–£14,930 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £11,630 | £7,906 | £6,510–£11,083 |
Supply staff | £804 | £1,689 | £576–£3,397 |
Admin and clerical | £2,182 | £1,240 | £960–£1,576 |
Premises | £1,292 | £1,563 | £1,246–£2,823 |
Energy | £622 | £464 | £347–£669 |
Learning resources & ICT | £890 | £1,405 | £974–£2,023 |
Bought-in services | £1,955 | £1,317 | £456–£2,448 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- Walworth School Large reserves
- Hollis Academy Large reserves
- Lotus Academy Large reserves
- Finch Woods Academy Large reserves
- North Star 240° Large reserves
- Mo Mowlam Academy Large reserves
- Bure Park Specialist Academy In deficit
- The Polygon School Large reserves
- Clifford Holroyde Sen College Large reserves
- Millgate School Tight
- High Well School Large reserves
- Thomas Ashton School In deficit
Where the money comes from, 2023-24
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £2.6m | £28,298 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £1.3m | £14,381 |
Pupil premium (part of grants) | £109k | £1,183 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £96k | £1,046 |
Questions to ask the school
Useful for parents, governors and PTA committees.
- Is there a deficit recovery plan agreed with the council, 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 26% since 2018-19. How is the school planning for fewer pupils, and the funding that goes with them?
- Spending on admin and clerical is £2,182 a pupil, against a typical £1,240 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 Willow Park School · All Sheffield school finances