Discretionary Financial Support for Age 16 – 19 Learners

Date: 20^th April 2021

Due to national lockdowns and the partial closure of schools students and families have not had the expenses that they would usually incur such as residentials, weekly Post 16 contributions and uniforms for Café 16. The guidance for allocating the bursary has been updated this year and the preferred use of funds is to use it within the school setting and to not give payments directly to students. Schools can now be also be audited in respect of their allocation of bursary funds. It has therefore been agreed that we will roll this year’s allocation forward and distribute it with next year’s funds. The full policy and amounts will be updated when we receive next year’s payments, this is usually in November time.

Context:       

The 16-19 BURSARY HAS 2 ELEMENTS:-

1. Support for Vulnerable Learners

If a student is in one of the nationally nominated vulnerable groups and there is a financial need can apply for a bursary of up to £1200. 

The following groups of students are eligible

• Young people in care or care leavers
• Young people in receipt of Employment and Support Allowance who are also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in their own right.
• Young person (not their parents) is in receipt of Income Support
• Young person (not their parents) is in receipt of Universal Credit Payments.

These payments will be made at the end of every term following the deductions made for expenses incurred during the term.

These deductions include payments for the following:-

• Weekly £2.00 contribution to class money for educational visits
• Payment for residential -£250 (if attended)
• Equipment / uniform required for school and work experience opportunities
• Any other costs incurred to which we will give you prior notification.

We will provide details of these costs incurred at the end of every term.

Please note that if these costs are not incurred then it is likely that a reduced bursary will be paid.

Payments will be made into student bank accounts, where possible.

2. Discretionary Bursaries

If your child is entitled to free school meals they are entitled to a discretionary bursary.

PLEASE FILL IN ATTACHED FORM 2 FOR STUDENTS WHO FALL INTO THIS CATAGORY.

No cash payments will be made and these funds will be used to pay for the following:-

• Contribution towards Residential  - £100 (total cost £250)
• Additional £3 required for dinner at college
• Equipment / uniform required for school and work experience opportunities

TOTAL EXPENDITURE:

TOTAL DISCRETIONARY BURSARY	£3,743
Cost of residential contributions	1500
College dinner contributions	900
Equipment / uniform required for school and work experience opportunities	1343