Changing Lives
16-19 Bursary Policy
16-19 Bursary Policy - 2024-25
Policy Details
Nominated Lead Member of Staff: Nicola Smith
Date of Policy: September 2024
Status & Review Cycle: Statutory (Annual Review)
Next Review Date: September 2025
Introduction
A key priority for the government is to close the gap in attainment between those from less affluent and more affluent backgrounds, and to ensure every young person fully participates and benefits from a place in 16 to 19 education or training.
The 16-19 Bursary Fund targets support towards the most financially disadvantaged 16 to 19 year olds; those who most need help with the costs of staying on.
This fund is made available from the government through its funding body, the Education Funding Agency (EFA), to provide assistance to students whose access to and participation in education is inhibited by financial constraints or barriers. There are two types of bursaries available: a vulnerable bursary and a discretionary bursary (detailed below).
Changing Lives Independent School will determine the eligibility criteria for discretionary bursaries, and the frequency of and conditions for payments for all awards. The 16-19 Bursary will be awarded to a student that is eligible and facing genuine financial barriers to participating.
Eligibility
To be eligible to receive a 16-19 Bursary in the 2024-2025 academic year, the student must be aged 16 or over and under 19 at the start of the academic year.
Age: Students aged 19 or over are only eligible to receive a discretionary bursary if they are continuing on a study programme they began aged 16 to 18 (‘19+ continuers’) or have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). These two groups of aged 19+ students can receive a discretionary bursary while they continue to attend education (in the case of a 19+ continuer, this must be the same programme they started before they turned 19), as long as their eligibility continues and their institution considers they need the support to continue their participation.
Residency: Students must also satisfy the residency criteria set out in the ESFA Funding Guidance 2023 to 2024 (a person on 1 September who is settled in the UK, and has been ordinarily resident in the UK and Islands for the three years preceding the 1 September). If in any doubt, please speak with SLT.
Students should be participating in provision that is subject to inspection by a public body that assures quality and is funded within the relevant guidelines.
The 16-19 Bursary Fund is a limited fund and the school will prioritise allocation according to household income. There will be three discretionary groups, categorised as one, two or three. Providing the required documentary evidence is submitted, students in the discretionary one group will receive a vulnerable bursary, and students in the two and three discretionary groups will receive a discretionary bursary.
Bursary Fund Levels
Discretionary One – Vulnerable Student Bursary
This is a guaranteed bursary of up to £1200 per year for young people of the defined vulnerable groups. Students must fall into one of the categories below to be eligible for a vulnerable student bursary:
- In care
- Care leavers
- Young people in receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves or supporting someone dependent on them.
The money will be spent in collaboration with the Pastoral Manager and SLT to best support the attainment and needs of the student. Students are still free to apply for extra funding through the discretionary bursary system as well as being in receipt of this support. Payments will be transferred to the student's bank account upon authorisation from the school.
Discretionary Two
Eligible students include:
- Students in year 12 or 13 who are not eligible for Discretionary One but are in receipt of free school meals
- Students who have received free school meals at any time in the past six years
- Students with a household income of less than £17,000
A projected scheme of £600 per year is available, paid in instalments at termly intervals. Following a meeting with SLT lead, the bursary will be tailored to the student’s needs. Payments will be made in arrears and may be delayed if there is a query regarding attendance.
Students in Discretionary One or Two will be automatically assessed and informed in writing. If any student believes they should be eligible but have not received written information, they should contact the Pastoral Manager as soon as possible.
Discretionary Three
Eligible students are:
- Students in year 12 or 13 not eligible for Discretionary One or Two with a household income of less than £25,000 a year
- Students who have exhausted their Discretionary One or Two bursary and have further financial needs
Bursary applications must be received using the Changing Lives Independent School 16-19 Bursary application form, available via the SLT office or at the end of this form. All applications will be considered by the SLT Panel with reference to a Bursary Fund checklist provided by the ESFA.
Assessment, Educational Needs & Payment Requirements
Assessment
The Bursary Awards Panel will assess each application with supporting documentation in strict confidence. Any student who believes they are eligible for funding should submit an application to the SLT team as soon as possible after admission in September, or when a need arises. Students must inform SLT of any changes to family circumstances affecting their eligibility.
Applications during the academic year may be backdated up to 28 days where appropriate.
Student Educational Needs
The following costs may be supported by the bursary:
- Equine kit (e.g., riding helmet, riding crops, etc.)
- Trips and UK education visits
- University visits/interviews
- Curriculum materials/equipment – books, revision guides, etc.
- Examination fees
- Other items
Payment Requirements
Once eligibility is confirmed, students must adhere to the following criteria:
- Attendance: Must remain above 95%. If it falls below, payments may be withheld or adjusted.
- Behaviour: No negative behaviour should be reported. If unsatisfactory behaviour is identified, payments may be withheld until improvement or SLT intervention.
- Submission of work: All internal and external deadlines must be met without prior notification of concerns.
- Attainment: Payments may be withheld until an improvement in academic performance is confirmed by the subject teacher.
Appeals & Additional Information
Appeals
Discretionary One: Eligibility appeals are available to parents, guardians, and students if an application is felt to have been unjustly withheld.
Discretionary Two: Eligibility and issues with payments (since payments are made directly to the student) can be appealed. Students should first discuss with their form tutor; if unresolved, the appeal goes to SLT. This final appeal must be made within one additional week.
Discretionary Three: Appeals regarding withheld payments are similarly available.
* Education Funding Agency
** Will comprise 1 member of Finance, at least 1 member of SLT, and 1 member of the school staff.
Information and Application
Information on how to apply for the Bursary will be published on the school’s website and will also be available from the SLT Office. Applications should be made using the designated Bursary application form and submitted as soon as possible for regular support such as transport. Other applications can be submitted at any point.
Students applying for the Discretionary one £1,200 Bursary must provide documentary evidence of their eligibility, unless already identified by the school. Other applications must include supporting documentation.
Bank account details will be requested so that payments can be made directly to the student’s account (or an alternative account upon written confirmation if the student is unable to open one).
FRAUD
Any student found making a fraudulent claim for bursary funding will be reported to the police. Students who have received funding and are found to have submitted a fraudulent application will be required to refund all payments and will be excluded from the school.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Applications will be handled confidentially. However, computerized copies of all documentation will be kept for six years in compliance with the Data Protection Act and will be available for audit purposes.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
No applicant will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
NOTES
To support and advise students receiving bursary funding, an accessible record will be maintained on Arbor. Students will be identified as one of the following:
- D1: Vulnerable Bursary
- D2: Students who have applied to the Bursary fund for support
- D3: Students who have applied to the Bursary fund for support