Bursary and Transport
16-19 Bursary Fund
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) allocate the 16-19 Bursary Fund to the Academy.
It is designed to support post-16 students in full time education with the financial challenges of their continuing education, therefore the funds must be used to support students in their learning.
A student must be aged 16 or over but under 19 on 31 August 2024 to be eligible for help from the bursary fund in the 2024 to 2025 academic year.
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).
There are 2 types of 16 to 19 bursary:
- a bursary for students in vulnerable groups
- a discretionary bursary
Students (or their parents/carers) in receipt of the following are eligible for this support. The type of support available varies, depending on which of these categories a student (or parent/carer) is eligible for.
|
Eligibility |
Fund amount |
How are the funds given? |
|---|---|---|
|
Vulnerable Student Bursary |
||
|
Students in care or recently left local authority care Students receiving Income Support, or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them such as a child or partner Students receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit in their own right |
Vulnerable Learner payment of up to £1,200 per year |
One-off payments Textbooks and revision guides Field trips and visits that are linked to the curriculum Transport costs Day to day needs and equipment Vouchers |
|
Discretionary Bursary |
||
|
Students in receipt of Free School Meals or a household income of less than £16,190. Students who have received Free School meals within the last 6 years Students with parents/carers in receipt of Child Tax Credits A household income of less than £22,000 Students has exceptional circumstances |
Between £100-£700 per year depending upon student need. |
One –off payments Textbooks and revision guides Field trips and visits that are linked to the curriculum Transport costs Day to day needs and equipment Vouchers |
Students must engage with their Study Programme to receive financial support from the Bursary.
If your family circumstances qualify the student for Free School Meals and they are not currently registered, you must make an application for free school meals at the same time as you complete the Bursary Fund application. For further details on Free School Meals please visit the North Somerset Council website.
Applications for the Bursary Fund
Applications for all payment types should be made using the 16-19 Bursary Fund Application Form.
Applications for Vulnerable Learner Payments should be completed at the start of the academic year. Students who become eligible due to a change in circumstances during the year are able to apply at any stage in the year.
Applications must be made each academic year in order to receive payments. Applications made at the start of Year 12 do not carry forward to Year 13.
Allocation of funds
Funding commitments for discretionary payments will not exceed the total funding available via the ESFA 16-19 Bursary Fund. If there is greater demand than funding allows, students will receive a lower payment.
Most costs can be paid for directly through the Sixth Form and Finance departments, such as costs for field trips or text books.
Payment or reimbursement for costs incurred to individuals can only be made with evidence provided, for example students must submit receipts for the expenditure they are claiming. Please ensure that you check with the Sixth Form prior to agreeing any costs to ensure that they can be covered through the Bursary fund. To find out more about what is and is not covered, please see the DfE’s funding guidance.
Payments will generally be made by BACS payment directly into the student’s bank account. Payments for examination fees and field trips will be paid directly to the relevant school department. Vouchers can be made available for the purchase of books and equipment.
Further advice
Please talk to the Sixth Form Pastoral team, or complete the application form and email sixthform@churchill-academy.org if you need financial support.
Transport Information
Many students travel to Sixth Form cycling, walking, driving and car-pooling. If you need to make use of public transport or the school buses, please see the website for more information. We have a dedicated Sixth Form car park.
Please view our Transportation page here for further information on the bus transport to Sixth Form.