Policies

16-19 bursary fund statement

At Queen Elizabeth School Sixth Form, we provide 16-19 bursaries for students to ensure they can access their studies, where they would otherwise be unable to do so for financial reasons. The bursary is intended to help students with the essential costs of their studies, e.g. important books, equipment and travel costs. We are committed to closing the attainment gap between students from disadvantaged and more advantaged backgrounds, ensuring that every student participates in, and benefits from, a place in 16-19 education and training.

There are two types of bursaries available: discretionary and vulnerable. Each bursary is allocated based on students meeting the eligibility criteria. In both cases, the school is responsible for determining whether a student’s application has been successful.

We are dedicated to:

Distributing 16-19 bursaries via a fair and equal process that is transparent, accountable and easily understood.
Ensuring that information regarding the application, award and administration of 16-19 bursaries is available to all.
Widening access to, and participation in, 16-19 education.
Ensuring all students who are eligible for funding have access to it.

Eligibility

Students aged 16 or over and under 19 years old on 31 August 2023 will qualify for bursaries for the 2022/2023 academic year. All students will be assessed individually for either bursary. Evidence must be provided to support applications – a full list of supporting evidence is outlined in our 16-19 Bursary Application Form.

Vulnerable bursaries

To be eligible for a vulnerable bursary, students must meet one of the following criteria:

The student is in care (this includes students classed as an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child)
The student is a care leaver
The student receives Income Support or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves and/or someone who is dependent on them and living with them, such as a child or partner
The student receives Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in their own right, as well as Employment Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit in their own right

Discretionary bursaries

We allocate discretionary bursaries based on those who are most in need of financial support. Discretionary bursaries may be awarded up to the value of £1,200, and will be reviewed each year the student requires support. Our eligibility criteria for a discretionary bursary includes the following:

Students who are completing a high-cost course of over £2,000 in which specialist equipment and clothes are required
Students living in a low-income household
Students who are from a single-parent family or have one or more dependent siblings in their family
Students who have additional responsibilities, such as being a young carer or parent
Students who travel greater than five miles to Queen Elizabeth School

Where possible, Queen Elizabeth School will retain a small emergency fund from its allocation to support students who face exceptional circumstances during the year due to a change in their situation that impacts on their ability to participate in education.

Applying for a bursary

Students must complete the application form and provide the necessary supporting documentation. All applications should be submitted by 31 July of each academic year; however, we do understand that needs may arise throughout the academic year, and we will still consider applications after this date where appropriate.

Our application process will maintain the student’s confidentiality.

Conditions for receiving the bursary

All students must meet the agreed standards set by us to be eligible for the funds – these are explained to all students during the application process. Students must continue to meet these criteria after receiving the bursary. We may withhold payments where students breach these conditions; however, the student’s individual circumstances will always be considered first and sanctioning will not occur to the extent that a student’s ability to attend is undermined.

The conditions are as follows:

Students must have 85 percent attendance at timetabled lessons, unless the absence is authorised
Students that are absent due to sickness must present a note from a qualified medical practitioner if their absence is longer than three days
Students must abide by the Behaviour Policy

Payments will be stopped where:

A student is absent for a period of four consecutive weeks or more excluding holidays.
A student withdraws themselves from a study programme.
Money is not being spent for the reasons it was awarded.
A student breaches any of the conditions for payment.

Receipt of the bursary will not affect the receipt of other means-tested benefits paid to families, e.g. Income Support.

Paying the bursary

Funds will be allocated in-kind rather than in cash where possible, e.g. through travel passes, vouchers or credits for meals, or required books or equipment.

Using the bursary

Upon receiving a bursary, students will receive help based on their areas of need.

The following priority areas will be addressed first:

Travel to , e.g. bus passes and travel cards
Equipment costs, e.g. books, stationery, iPads or clothing
Meals, e.g. food vouchers
Any other educational support, e.g. attendance at university open days and interviews
Costs related to industry placements

Policies

16-19 bursary fund statement

There are two types of bursaries available: discretionary and vulnerable. Each bursary is allocated based on students meeting the eligibility criteria. In both cases, the school is responsible for determining whether a student’s application has been successful.

We are dedicated to:

Distributing 16-19 bursaries via a fair and equal process that is transparent, accountable and easily understood.

Ensuring that information regarding the application, award and administration of 16-19 bursaries is available to all.

Widening access to, and participation in, 16-19 education.

Ensuring all students who are eligible for funding have access to it.

Eligibility

Vulnerable bursaries

To be eligible for a vulnerable bursary, students must meet one of the following criteria:

The student is in care (this includes students classed as an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child)

The student is a care leaver

The student receives Income Support or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves and/or someone who is dependent on them and living with them, such as a child or partner

The student receives Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in their own right, as well as Employment Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit in their own right

Discretionary bursaries

We allocate discretionary bursaries based on those who are most in need of financial support. Discretionary bursaries may be awarded up to the value of £1,200, and will be reviewed each year the student requires support. Our eligibility criteria for a discretionary bursary includes the following:

Students who are completing a high-cost course of over £2,000 in which specialist equipment and clothes are required

Students living in a low-income household

Students who are from a single-parent family or have one or more dependent siblings in their family

Students who have additional responsibilities, such as being a young carer or parent

Students who travel greater than five miles to Queen Elizabeth School

Where possible, Queen Elizabeth School will retain a small emergency fund from its allocation to support students who face exceptional circumstances during the year due to a change in their situation that impacts on their ability to participate in education.

Applying for a bursary

Our application process will maintain the student’s confidentiality.

Conditions for receiving the bursary

The conditions are as follows:

Students must have 85 percent attendance at timetabled lessons, unless the absence is authorised

Students that are absent due to sickness must present a note from a qualified medical practitioner if their absence is longer than three days

Students must abide by the Behaviour Policy

Payments will be stopped where:

A student is absent for a period of four consecutive weeks or more excluding holidays.

A student withdraws themselves from a study programme.

Money is not being spent for the reasons it was awarded.

A student breaches any of the conditions for payment.

Receipt of the bursary will not affect the receipt of other means-tested benefits paid to families, e.g. Income Support.

Paying the bursary

Funds will be allocated in-kind rather than in cash where possible, e.g. through travel passes, vouchers or credits for meals, or required books or equipment.

Using the bursary

Upon receiving a bursary, students will receive help based on their areas of need.

The following priority areas will be addressed first:

Travel to , e.g. bus passes and travel cards

Equipment costs, e.g. books, stationery, iPads or clothing

Meals, e.g. food vouchers

Any other educational support, e.g. attendance at university open days and interviews

Costs related to industry placements

Further information

More information on the use and allocation of 16-19 bursaries can be found in our 16-19 Bursary Fund Policy, available on the school website.