16-19 Bursary and Discretionary Fund Policy

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1 16-19 Bursary and Discretionary Fund Policy The following policy relates to applications from students for a Bursary, Sprowston Community High School Sixth Form participates willingly in the administration of the Bursary Fund. It is our policy to ensure that the funds received annually from the EFA (Education Funding Agency) are targeted towards students that have the greatest need. Aims of the Policy To ensure that any young person in care, or who is a care leaver, or who is in receipt of income support or who is disabled and in receipt of Employment Support Allowance and who is also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance can have access to and are aware of the procedure for applying for a bursary. To ensure that any remaining funds are distributed fairly to any young people in ways that best fit their needs and circumstances. To ensure that young people are aware of the Bursary/Discretionary Fund and how they can apply for a Bursary. To ensure that Bursary awards are targeted towards young people facing financial barriers to participation, such as the costs of transport, meals, books and equipment. Eligibility and Application for a Bursary 1. To apply for a Bursary the student must be under 19 on 31st August in the academic year in which they start their programme of study. The student must be in full time education. The student must satisfy YPLA residency criteria.

2 In addition: The student s level of attendance must be a minimum of 95%, and not be late for more than one session per week. Must have attended all internal and external examinations Have submitted all coursework assignments on time and to the best of their ability as judged by the subject teacher 2. Sprowston will inform, by letter, all students who have accepted a place to study at Sprowston Community High School of the Bursary/Discretionary Fund at the end of the summer term. 3. Any young person applying for the Bursary Fund will need to complete the Bursary/Discretionary Fund application form. This form should be returned to the Head of Sixth Form/Business Manager by the date stated on the application form. 4. Any young person who is in care, is a care leaver, on Income Support or Universal Credit and disabled young people in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance (or Personal Independence Payment) and applies for the Bursary will automatically be entitled to the full Bursary of Evidence of household income such as P60, Receipt of Benefit Notification, Tax Credit Award Notification, or Self Employed Income Notification must be provided and returned with the completed application form for the Discretionary Fund. For the purposes of claiming Discretionary Bursary Funding, household income is 25,000 p.a. 6. Claims that meet the financial criteria set will be agreed by the SBM on the documentation supplied.

3 7. All personal information, including bank details and household earnings etc. will be stored securely and will remain strictly confidential. 8. All applicants will be advised in writing of the outcome. 9. All eligible Bursary/Discretionary payments will be attendance related and back dated (where appropriate) to the start of the student s programme of study. 10. On approval of the Bursary award the claimant will be asked to sign a Sprowston Bursary Contract. Decision Making Process The applications will be assessed according to the earnings criteria and Discretionary Bursaries awarded on the greatest need. Applicants will be informed, of the decision, in writing, by the end of the half term in which the application was submitted. Should your application be successful you will be expected to sign the Bursary Fund Contract with the school. Payment of the Bursary 1. All Bursary payments awarded after 1 September 2014 will be awarded on an in kind basis. This means that students inform school of the nature of the support required eg. travel pass, course related books and equipment, support for trips or UCAS visits etc and school will arrange the purchase of the items. 2. All larger items of equipment purchased under the School Bursary system will remain the property of Sprowston Community high School and will be held in stock for the next student who has been assessed as eligible and in need.

4 3. All payments will be subject to the conditions laid down in the Sprowston Bursary Contract which includes attendance, behaviour, completion of coursework and completion of programmes of study enrolled on. 4. All bursary students will be entitled to receive a Free School Meal, up to the value of 2.10 from Redset Refuel Café on presentation of their photographic school identity card. 5. All personal information, including bank details and household earnings, will be stored securely and will remain strictly confidential. Appeals 1. Any student has a right to appeal against any decision made if they have evidence that the Sixth Form has made a mistake and that they have acted in accordance with the Sprowston Bursary Contract. 2. Appeals should be made in writing in the first instance to the Head of Sixth Form. If a further appeal is requested this will be heard by a Governor s Panel. Fraud 1. It is the responsibility of the Parent/Guardian/Carer to ensure that all the information provided is true and to inform Sprowston in writing if any circumstances change. 2. A Bursary is awarded in accordance with the conditions set by the Sixth Form in the Sprowston Community High School Bursary Contract. Parent/Guardian/Carer and the student will be asked to jointly sign applications to ensure that they are aware and understand that any money awarded may be claimed back and eligibility withdrawn should they knowingly provide information which is later discovered to be false.

5 This policy was reviewed and updated in February 2016 and approved by governors on Signed.Chair of Governors Linda Bennett This policy is due to be reviewed and updated annually. The date of the next review is February 2017