The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund provides financial support to help students overcome specific financial barriers so that they can remain in education and is in accordance with government guidance:

There are two types of bursaries available.

1.   Vulnerable student bursary

This is a bursary of up to £1200 if students are:

• in care
• care leavers
• receiving Income Support, or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them such as a child or partner
• receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit in their own right

2.   Discretionary bursary

You can apply for a discretionary bursary if you aren’t eligible for a vulnerable bursary. The school will give priority to students facing financial barriers to post-16 study, such as the cost of transport, meals, books, equipment, educational visits / field trips and university interviews.  This bursary is available where one of the following conditions are met:

• In receipt of Income Support (Universal Credit)
• The total household income does not exceed £16,190 in a financial year and an NHS exemption certificate is held. 
• The total household income is between £16,191 and £30,000 in a financial year

We will consider requests for payment for:

• Books 
• Equipment 
• Field trips and other course-related costs 
• The costs of attending university interviews and open days 
• Other appropriate support at the discretion of the 6th form team and in accordance with the guidance set out by the DfE found at  16 to 19 bursary fund. 

Students who receive any of the qualifying benefits listed above are also eligible to receive free school meals. Students who become eligible for free school meals during the year, or who provide evidence of meeting the criteria even if they choose not to apply for free school meals, will also be eligible to apply for the above bursary, pro-rata to the date from which they became eligible (subject to fund being available)

The level of support which the school can offer is dependent on the total funding received and the number of applications we receive. The level of funding may vary during the year.  

Receipt of payment will be dependent on full school attendance. Authorised absences will be accepted. Payment may be withheld if a student is not working to the expected standard or where standards in general fall below those set out in the Sixth Form Code of Conduct. 

There will be a reassessment of eligibility as and when personal circumstances change. 

Funding will not be approved for non-essential extra-curricular activities or for personal resources. Claims must be made in advance of an activity, event or purchase. No payment should exceed £200 except in exceptional circumstances. No claim will be accepted retrospectively and the school reserves the right to approve or not approve any claim. 

Appeals against any decisions made regarding bursary allocations should be made through the school complaints procedures. Please note, the school’s allocation of funding is limited, and once this has been allocated, we will not be able to meet any additional claims.

16-19 Bursary Fund Application form