Bursary payments will be made for any essential items that you need in order to become successful at Sixth Form.
This may include:
- Books, resources, stationery, materials needed for your subjects.
- Fieldtrip funding.
- Open day at university funding for travel / accommodation if required.
- UCAS payments.
- Travel to and from Sixth Form.
- Lunch money.
- Sixth Form clothing and footwear.
- Any other item you deem necessary to access Sixth Form. Please speak to Mrs. Forster or your Head Of Year if you are unsure whether it is covered under the bursary fund before purchasing this.
Please note, these should be essential items only, not luxury items.
for example:
- Travel to university open days should be using trains / cars / other public transport, but not first class.
- Designer clothing is not essential for sixth form, so will not be reimbursed.
- Hoodies/ leggings / joggers etc are not in Sixth Form dress code so will not be reimbursed.
- Laptops will be given to you from school for the duration of your course, please speak to us if you require one. You wont be reimbursed for these if you buy your own.
- Since you have full access to printing in school, printers will not be reimbursed.
What you’ll get
There are 2 types of 16 to 19 bursary:
- A bursary for students in vulnerable groups.
- A discretionary bursary.
Bursary for students in vulnerable groups
- You could get a bursary worth up to £1,200 if at least one of the following applies:
- You’re in or recently left local authority care.
- You get Income Support or Universal Credit because you’re financially supporting yourself.
- You get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in your name and either Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit.
- You get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in your name and either ESA or Universal Credit.
- The amount you may get depends on the costs you have and what you need for your course. This might include money for books, equipment or travel costs to school. Additional funding can be applied for to cover study trips or travel for university interviews.
- You will need to provide evidence to confirm your eligibility such as a benefit letter.
Discretionary bursary
You could get a discretionary bursary if you need financial help but do not qualify for a bursary for students in vulnerable groups.
The school will decide how you get your bursary. You might get:
- an instalment paid by cash, cheque or bank transfer
- things like a travel pass, free meals or books
- one-off payments to cover study trips or travel for university interviews
Travel only: costs will be paid in full via the cheapest form of transport, for any student where the annual household income is less than £32,537. Students must live more than half a mile away from school. Students must show evidence of relevant benefit or proof of household income and evidence of bank account details.
Students/Parents can also apply for free meal costs where the parent(s)/carer(s) are in receipt of any of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based)
- Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related)
- Pension Credit (Minimum Guarantee)
- Support under part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit, provided they have an annual income, as assessed by the Inland Revenue that does not exceed £16,190. (Working Tax Credit is not eligible for free meal costs).
- Students living in a low-income household – household income below average regional salary of £32,537.
If you’re over 19, you’ll only be eligible for a discretionary bursary.
In assessing whether you are eligible for the discretionary bursary, we will need to consider your individual circumstances and will need to know your family income – the application form details the evidence you need to provide.
How to claim
Apply using the application form. Take care to fill in completely and to provide evidence if claiming the bursary for vulnerable students, and provide evidence of your family income.
To apply for either Bursary you will need to complete the attached application form and provide supporting evidence.
If you are applying for the Vulnerable Bursary then you only need to complete Part A of the application. You will need to provide documentary evidence of your circumstances such as a letter from your Care Worker or proof of your entitlement to Income Support.
Travel costs will only be paid where the student has to travel more than half a mile to school. All travel costs will be paid via bank transfer.
All evidence required in support of your application, must be passed to Mrs Forster in a sealed envelope. Evidence of relevant benefit should be no more than 2 months old with the exception of Child Tax Credit/Working Tax Credit where a full copy of the award notice for 2024 needs to be provided. Evidence should be supplied as photocopies.
Incomplete applications cannot be processed and will be returned to the applicant. Applicants will receive written correspondence confirming the outcome of their application. If you have any questions about the outcome then please contact Mrs Forster (Assistant Headteacher – Lead for Sixth Form) to discuss your application.
Any change of details must be notified immediately to school, such as change of address/bank details.
When to apply
Apply as soon as possible or apply if your circumstances change during the year meaning you are now eligible.
