Some students are entitled to up to £1,200 in support from the 16-19 Bursary. Please read the following information to find out who is entitled to the Bursary and what it can be used for. We would encourage all those who think they may be eligible to apply. Please note, students will need to apply once each year (Year 12 and Year 13).
Eligible students have found this an invaluable resource to help with school trips, revision resources, textbooks and university open days.
1. Background
Institutions receive allocations for a 16-19 Bursary fund, under arrangements set out by the Secretary of State under section 14 of the Education Act 2002. The government provides funding to close the gap in attainment between those from poorer and more affluent backgrounds and to ensure every young person participates in and benefits from a place in 16 – 19 education and training.
1.1 Guaranteed Bursary
Bursaries of £1,200 to all young people in the nominated vulnerable group (i.e. in care, care leavers, those in receipt of income support (in their own name). This funding is held centrally by the Education Funding Agency and must be applied for separately.
1.2 Discretionary Bursary
This Bursary award is targeted towards young people facing financial barriers to participation, such as the costs of transport, books, equipment, field trips etc. This bursary is awarded by the school, in line with the guidance in 3.2 below.
2. Communication
Full details of the 16-19 Bursary Fund will be made available to all Post 16 and prospective Post 16 students via the school website, Head’s newsletter, 6th form assemblies, tutors and notice board.
3. Eligibility
To be eligible to receive a bursary the young person must be over 16 on 1st September and under 19 on 31st August in the academic year in which they start their programme of study. Where a young person turns 19 during their programme of study, they can continue to be supported to the end of the academic year in which they turn 19 or to the end of the programme of study, whichever is the sooner.
Young people must satisfy the residency criteria and defined in the EFA Funding guidance available on the EFA website. They must be participating in provision that is subject to inspection by a public body that ensures quality (Ofsted) and is funded by the EFA or via a local authority. Funded or co-financed by the European Social Fund; or otherwise publicly funded and lead to a qualification (up to level 3) that is accredited by Ofqual or is pursuant to Section 98 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000.
3.1 Vulnerable Young People
Defined vulnerable groups are: young people who are looked after (in care); care leavers; young people in receipt of income support (or Universal Credit) in their own name; and disabled young people in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance (or Personal Independence Payments). Funding for students in defined vulnerable groups will be held centrally. Applications must be made direct to the school as soon as possible so that an application can be made to draw down funding.
3.2 Discretionary Bursary
A discretionary bursary may be awarded to young people in receipt of free school meals in the past 6 years and that meet the conditions relating to attendance and behaviour outlined in Section 5. Schools are encouraged to use ‘payment in kind’ for this bursary e.g. payment of a bus pass, purchase of resources. Any monetary payment must be paid by BACS payment direct to the young person’s bank account.
4. Process for Application
Applications for an award of a bursary should be made using the application form available on this website or from the Head of Sixth form. All applications must be supported by appropriate evidence of eligibility, and completed in full including the applicant’s bank details. Completed applications should be passed to the Headteacher’s PA.
Details of all successful applications will be passed to the Finance department, together with the level, timing and conditions of the bursary awarded.
Applicants will be notified in writing whether their application has been successful, together with the level of award. If a young person feels aggrieved about how their application has been handled, they should follow the School’s normal complaints procedure.
5. Qualifying Conditions
Once eligibility has been established the young person will be expected to comply with the following conditions in order to qualify for payment:
- Qualifying period – satisfy a qualifying period of study i.e. at least 6 weeks
- Attendance – No unauthorised absence, overall attendance 90% or doctor’s certificate
- Behaviour – No cause for concern i.e. no strikes
- No exclusions
- The student must be achieving the required standard in all subjects
The discretionary allowance may be withdrawn if these criteria are not met.
6. Retained Contingency
The School will retain a contingency to cover the cost of bursaries awarded throughout the academic year due to changes in the financial or domestic circumstances of individual students.
