The school is operating with a significant cumulative deficit. The deficit balance as of 31 March 2026 was £608,299, and the school is unable to set a balanced budget for 2026/27 or future years. The current forecast in-year deficit for 2026/27 is £198,472. This position may deteriorate further once additional costs are confirmed, including external support staff required during the academic year and any works arising from health and safety audit requirements. In addition, capital investment of approximately £135,000 is required in relation to the school toilet facilities.
If the decision is taken to close the school, the deficit balance at the point of closure becomes the responsibility of the council, along with the potential redundancy and pension strain costs. The latest financial projections available for the school are as set out in Table 2 below.
Table 2 - Financial Projections
| 2026/27 | 2027/28 | 2029/30 | 2029/30 | 20230/31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In Year Deficit | 198,472 | 297,902 | 381,595 | 466,208 | 497,060 |
| Cumulative Deficit | 806,771 | 1,104,674 | 1,486,269 | 1,952,477 | 2,449,537 |
The projections demonstrate that the school is not financially viable in its current form. Without significant and sustained additional financial support, the cumulative deficit is forecast to continue increasing year-on-year, placing further pressure on the council’s wider financial position.
The financial position is significantly impacted by the very low pupil roll, which reduces the level of pupil-led funding available to the school. The fixed costs of operating the school, including staffing, premises and statutory requirements, cannot be reduced sufficiently to align expenditure with the level of funding generated by current and projected pupil numbers.
If the school were to remain open, the council would need to consider the extent to which any further financial support could be provided, taking account of the absence of a credible recovery plan and the forecast increase in the cumulative deficit. Should the proposal progress beyond consultation, further detailed financial due diligence will be required to confirm the final costs associated with any potential closure. This would include, but not be limited to, staffing and redundancy costs, pension strain implications, site security, asset management and property-related costs.
The council has previously provided additional support to the school, including funding temporary teaching resource up to July 2026. However, this level of support is not sustainable on an ongoing basis. Based on current projections, the school's financial position is not sustainable within any reasonable planning horizon, with a forecast deficit projected of £2,449,537 by 2030/31. This position is likely to deteriorate further based on the reduction in pupil numbers.