NORTH BROMSGROVE HIGH SCHOOL SIXTH FORM
16-19 BURSARY FUND
POLICY 2015/16
Section 1 : Introduction
North Bromsgrove High School receives an annual allocation of 16-19 Bursary Funds from the Education
Funding Agency (EFA) to assist young people who face the greatest barriers to continuing in education or
training Post 16. If you are aged between 16 and 19 years old and think you might struggle with the costs for
full-time education or training you may receive a bursary.
North Bromsgrove High School operates the scheme in compliance with the EFA ’16-19 Bursary Fund – Guide
for 2014/15’ and this policy sets out our approach to the use of the Bursary Fund in 2014/15. This policy will be
reviewed annually in June.
Section 2 : Student Eligibility
The 16-19 Bursary has two elements :
Students in the ‘vulnerable group’ as defined by the EFA (i.e. young people in care, care leavers, young
people in receipt of income support and disabled young people in receipt of Employment Support
Allowance who are also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance) will be eligible to receive a
Guaranteed Bursary Award of £1,200 per year. Payments will be released directly by the Learner
Support Service (LSS). If you qualify for the Guaranteed Bursary Award, please notify the Post 16 office
who will contact the LSS on your behalf.
We will then make individual Discretionary Bursary Awards that best fit the needs and circumstances
of our students. Bursary awards will be targeted towards students facing financial barriers to
participation and achievement, such as the costs of transport, meals, books or equipment etc.
To be eligible to receive a bursary you must be :
Aged over 16 and under 19 on 31 August in the academic year in which you start your course
Resident in the EU for 3 years or more
Enrolled on AS and/or A2 courses
Be eligible for Free Schools meals (FSM) or in the ‘vulnerable group’ as defined by the EFA above. (To
apply for free school meals, follow this link :
http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/cms/pdf/Application%20Form%20April%202011.pdf
Section 3 : Application and Assessment Procedure
Please use the North Bromsgrove High School 16-19 Bursary Fund application form.
If you are applying for the Guaranteed Bursary Award you must be able to provide evidence that demonstrates
you meet the eligibility criteria set out above to receive an award up to £1,200 per annum.
If you are applying for the Discretionary Bursary Award we will seek confirmation from Children’s Services in
Worcester that you are eligible for FSM. An application form for FSM is attached which should be submitted
directly to Children’s Services who will then notify the school of your entitlement. All eligible students are
encouraged to apply for FSM.
You can expect to know the outcome of the assessment of your application within two weeks of submitting
your completed application form. You will receive written confirmation of the outcome.
Please note : The Bursary Fund is a finite amount of money and will be distributed according to need, in the
fairest way possible. The value of any Discretionary Awards will depend on the total demand on the Fund. A
portion of the Fund will be retained for contingency i.e. claims later in the year.
If false or incomplete information is submitted, or if you do not inform us of any part of your family income
that is relevant, the matter may be referred to the Department for Education or the police. Students could
face prosecution and we will seek to recover any payments students are not eligible for.
Section 4 : Payments
Guaranteed Bursary Awards :
Those eligible for this will be paid every four weeks by BACS (money will sent directly to your Bank Account)
Discretionary Bursary Awards :
Those eligible for FSM will be awarded £10 per week, paid every four weeks by BACS.
FSM students will have a claim on remaining funds on a discretionary basis and for benefits-in-kind only (not
cash). Such benefits might include subsidy of bus passes, re-sit fees, UCAS fees, train tickets to open days etc.
The funds can be used to pay for the benefit directly or to reimburse an expenditure supported by a receipt.
A significant portion of the total fund will also be awarded on a discretionary basis to any individual student in
genuine financial hardship for specific benefits-in-kind. Payment for these items will be on submission of
receipts or items can be ordered direct. Please contact the Bursary co-ordinators for specific guidance.
Payment of any bursary will be conditional on you maintaining high standards of attendance, achievement
and punctuality as set out in the terms and conditions attached.
To receive bursary payments you much have a bank account in your own name that will accept BACS
payments. If you do not have a bank account you will need to apply to open one. If there is a delay in setting
up a bank account that will result in further financial hardship please discuss this with the Post 16 office about
whether it is possible to make interim payments.
Books, reference materials and non-consumable equipment funded by the Bursary remain the property of
North Bromsgrove High School and must be returned to the Post 16 office at the end of the course, or before if
you leave early.
Payment of a Discretionary Bursary is subject to the availability of funds and any Bursary awarded to support
you whilst you are on a course does not guarantee support for any subsequent courses.
You will be required to repay any overpayments resulting from early withdrawal from a course.
Section 5 : Records and Data Protection
Staff involved in administering the 16-19 Bursary will comply with North Bromsgrove High School’s policy on
the storage and transfer of information supplied in the course of application and payment of funds.
Section 6 : Fraudulent Claims
We must protect public funds from the possibility of fraudulent claims. We ask for detailed information and
may invite applicants for interview so we can distribute funds fairly. If your claim is considered fraudulent
during our spot checks or auditing processes we will request that the money awarded to you is repaid in full. If
you fail to repay your award, we may take court action.
Section 7 : Appeals and Complaints
If your application is unsuccessful you have the right to appeal against the decision. You may also appeal about
the amount or type of award by writing to the Headteacher. Your letter should clearly state why you feel the
award should be re-considered. You may be invited to provide additional information or invited to discuss your
individual circumstances as part of your appeal.
Bursary Co-ordinators : Miss. S. Figg and Miss Skate
Contact : 01527 872375
sixthform@northbromsgrove.worcs.sch.uk
Terms and Conditions of Payment
Your Bursary Award is paid on condition that you :have at least 12 hours of timetabled study per week
achieve full attendance at both lessons and Tutor time
are punctual to all lessons and Tutor time sessions with your Tutor
have a satisfactory level of effort, behaviour and attitude during every lesson
The following procedures explain what is expected from you and from your Provider.
You are expected to:
 Attend 100% lessons as detailed on your timetable
 Attend 100% of Tutor Time sessions with your Tutor
 Ensure you are punctual to all lessons and Tutor time sessions with your Tutor and register your
attendance
 Get permission in advance for time you need to take off
 Follow your Provider’s absence procedure
 Clear outstanding marks in your register within two weeks. All outstanding marks over two weeks old
will mean that an award will not be given for that week.
The Provider is expected to:
 Keep records of your attendance
 Monitor your attendance and any absence
 Monitor your effort, behaviour and attitude in lessons and to homework and coursework (see
appendix 1 for details)
 Ensure Awards are paid in a timely manner
 Let you know within two days if your payment has been stopped
 Respond to any queries or problems that you wish to discuss with them about the Award yes/no
decision
Getting permission for an absence (authorised absence)
It is understood that there is very occasionally a reason why you may need to apply for permission to be
absent. It is your responsibility to notify the Post 16 office, in advance, of any authorised absences and to
obtain approval for such absences. Written confirmation (ie. letter confirming appointment, test or
interview) will be required, in advance, for all absence requests. Any authorised absences notified after
the event will not be paid.
The following list gives the time permission may be granted on a limited basis, providing approval has
been requested prior to the absence :








Specialist medical appointment which cannot be arranged outside School or College hours (this does not
include GP or Dentist appointments or hospital stays).
Official University/College/Employer interview or visit.
Work experience placement.
Participation in a significant extra-curricular event.
Practical Driving test (not theory or driving lessons).
Official Religious observance.
Attendance at a funeral of a close family member.
TA/Cadet Forces/Reserve Forces events.
If you are ill or sick
The Bursary Award is given on condition of 100% attendance and therefore you will not be eligible for an
payment that week.
Other kinds of absence (unauthorised absence)
The Bursary Award is given on condition of 100% attendance. If you are off without permission for any
other reason then your Provider will make a ‘NO - do not pay’ decision. The following reasons for absence
would not be acceptable:
 Holidays
 Part or full time work which is not part of your programme of study
 Leisure activities
 Birthdays or similar celebrations
 Babysitting or caring for relatives
 Shopping
 Driving test - theory
 Driving lessons
 GP or Dentist appointments which can be made outside of school hours
 School term holidays
 Suspension from course
Absence for a full week
If you are absent for a full week you will not receive an Award, regardless of the reason.
Exam Leave
Learners will receive weekly payments during periods of authorised exam leave. Payments will cease
once the learner has sat their final exam if they are no longer required to attend the Provider.
Other Information
All enquiries about the Bursary should be made to either Miss Figg or Miss Skate.
16-19 Bursary Application Form 2015/2016
Please complete all details in full as your application cannot be considered without all the information
requested. If you need further information or help completing the application please contact the 16-19 Bursary
Administrator.
Section 1: Student's Personal Details
Surname:
First Name(s):
Date of Birth
I have been resident in the
UK for 3 years or more
Yes/No
Section 2: Eligibility for a Guaranteed Bursary
You will be entitled to receive a bursary of £1,200 per year if you are in any of the categories described below.
Please tick any that apply and submit the relevant evidence, which is listed, to your training provider:
I am a young person who is looked after in local authority care
Evidence – confirmation letter from your local authority
I am a young care leaver
Evidence – confirmation letter from your local authority
I receive income support
Evidence – your most recent letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
regarding receipt of this benefit
I receive Employment and Support Allowance AND Disability Living Allowance,
because of a disability I have
Evidence – confirmation by the DWP of receipt of BOTH allowances
If you have ticked any of the categories above you do not need to fill in Section 3 of this form. Please continue to
sections 4 (Bank details) and 5 (Declaration).
Section 3: Eligibility for a Discretionary Bursary
Your training provider will assess your eligibility for the Discretionary 16-19 Bursary in line with its own policies,
available funding and your financial need. Please complete the following section as fully as you can, and ask for
help if you need it. Your need will be assessed on the information you provide and there is no guarantee that you
will be eligible for a Bursary or a guarantee of the level of funding you may receive.
Please consider the questions below:
Yes
3.1
No
Have you ever been in receipt of the Education Maintenance
Allowance (EMA)?
If Yes, in which academic year did you receive this?
20 /
How much did you receive each week?
Are you eligible for Free School Meals?
3.2
If Yes, please give the date of notification of eligibility.
Yes
3.3
No
Do you, or your parents that you live with, receive any other meanstested state benefits? Please tick if so.
Examples of means-tested state benefits are as follows –
NB this list is not exhaustive:
Income support, Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance or Employment
and Support Allowance, Support under Part VI of the Immigration and
Asylum Act 1999, The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit, Child
Tax Credit (not Child Benefit) etc
You
3.4
If you answered 'yes' to question 3.2 above, please indicate
who receives these benefits?
Parents
If you answered yes to question 3.2 or 3.3 please provide evidence of the means-tested benefit. Normally, this
will need to be written confirmation/benefit entitlement letter from the relevant Agency, e.g. a letter from the
Local Authority confirming your eligibility for Free School Meals / a letter from the Department for Work and
Pensions confirming your eligibility for Income Support.
Receipt of a means-tested benefit alone does not guarantee a Discretionary Bursary for your studies.
3.5
If you answered 'no' to question 3.2 and 3.3 above, please provide further information explaining
why you need financial support.
3.6
Please provide specific details below to explain what financial assistance is
required.
Type of support required
Books / Equipment
Additional Course Costs e.g.
trips
Transport
Meals
Accommodation (will this be
returned to the provider when
you have accessed appropriate
benefits?)
Exam re-sit fees
UCAS Application and
Admissions Test fees
Other miscellaneous items –
please specify
Details and estimated cost (£)
Tick if cost
has been
incurred
(attach
receipts)
Section 4: Bank Account Details
Full Name of Account Holder
Name of Bank / Building
Society:
Branch:
Sort code:
-
-
Account Number:
Building Society Reference
Number (roll number)
Section 5: Declaration
I confirm that I have read the 16-19 Bursary Fund Policy 2015/2016 and attached conditions. I confirm the
information given on the form is complete and accurate at the time of application and that I will inform the
provider immediately of any change in circumstances. I understand that any attempt to dishonestly obtain a
Bursary shall be treated as fraud that will be subject to disciplinary procedures.
The person applying for the Bursary is expected to sign the declaration in all cases.
Student's signature
Print name
Date
If you have included evidence that your parent /carer is in receipt of a means-tested benefit they must also sign
the declaration.
Parent / carer signature
Print name
Date
Before sending in your application from please check to make sure that you have completed all the sections
relevant to your circumstances and that you have enclosed copies of the relevant evidence to support your
claim. If you have not your application will be returned to you and there will be a delay in any potential
Bursary payment made.
OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Date application received:
Date application reviewed:
Date application returned to learners (if
applicable):
Reason: incomplete form / evidence not
supplied
Date application
resubmitted (if applicable):
Date resubmitted
application reviewed (if
applicable):
Assessment
Tick
Approved
Guaranteed
Refused
Not Applied For
Approved
Discretionary
Refused
Not Applied For
Rationale for assessment:
Total value of award and details of bursary awarded:
Further information including arrangements, schedule and conditions for payments:
Completed by:
Date:
Date student notified: