A bursary is money that eligible students—or the school on their behalf—can use to cover the costs associated with studying. This may include:

• Textbooks and equipment
  
• Specialist clothing or uniform
  
• Travel or lunch on study days
  
• Field trips or university visits
• Sixth Form uniform

There are two types of bursary:

1. Bursary for Students in Vulnerable Groups

Students may be eligible for a bursary of up to £1,200 per year if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Currently in, or recently left, local authority care
   
• Receiving Income Support or Universal Credit in their own name
   
• Receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) alongside Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit
   

Eligibility is assessed individually based on financial need and study programme requirements.

2. Discretionary Bursary

Students who do not qualify for the vulnerable group bursary may still be eligible for financial support if they:

• Receive Free School Meals (or have a sibling who does)
   
• Live in a household with a gross annual income below £29,500
   
• Receive means-tested benefits
   
• Live in a postcode area identified as being in an Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Decile 1–3
   

The discretionary bursary may provide regular or one-off support for items such as travel passes, meals, Sixth Form uniform, interview travel, or course-related trips. 

Eligible students must complete a Bursary Application Form and submit it with the required evidence (e.g. benefit award letters, payslips, tax notices) to the Finance Office or Head of Sixth Form.

You can download the application form here: Bursary Application Form 2025.pdf

If you are applying for the Bursary for students in vulnerable groups, you will need to complete this additional form: Bursary Appendix.pdf

If you need a printed copy, please request one from the Sixth Form Team or the Finance Office.

Application Deadline: Although applications are accepted throughout the year, we encourage submission by 31st October 2025 to allow timely assessment.

To continue receiving bursary support, students must:

• Maintain at least 90% attendance
   
• Arrive punctually for all lessons and Sixth Form commitments
   
• Meet academic expectations and submit coursework on time
   
• Follow the Sixth Form Code of Conduct
   

Payments may be withheld if these conditions are not met, unless absence or underperformance is due to exceptional circumstances (e.g. illness, caring responsibilities). 

• Applications are reviewed annually—even returning students must reapply.
   
• Support may be provided as in-kind assistance (e.g. bus passes, equipment, vouchers) or direct payments via BACS.
   
• All applications and supporting evidence are treated confidentially in accordance with our data protection policy.
   

We also proactively identify students who may benefit from support based on postcode data provided by the Ministry of Housing.