16-19 Bursary & Newstead Access Programme | Sixth Form

Students aged between 16 and 19 years facing financial hardship whilst in full-time education, may be eligible to receive a payment from the 16-19 Bursary Fund. Schools, colleges and training providers have been given responsibility for awarding bursaries to students, which includes decisions on the amount, when it is paid and the criteria for payments.

Bursary payments are made directly to students’ bank accounts by bank transfer.

Eligibility

Students must be aged 16 or over, but under 19 years on 31 August 2025 to be eligible for help from the bursary fund in the 2023-24 academic year, and must have the legal right to be resident in the United Kingdom at the start of their study programme. Students must also satisfy the following conditions to continue to receive the bursary:

The student must not have unauthorised or unexplained absence from lessons/school
The student must continue to meet Sixth Form expectations in relation to attendance, punctuality, submission of work assignments and general conduct.

Types of Bursary

Vulnerable Bursary up to £1200

Eligibility Criteria:

Students currently in local authority care
Students who have recently left local authority care
Students in receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit in their own name.
Students in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in their own right, as well as Employment Support Allowance or Universal Credit
Students must demonstrate that the funds are required for essential costs, as defined below, and must demonstrate this by completing a Statement of Need

Payment:

Payment will be made in 3 termly instalments, November, February and June, by bank transfer direct into the student’s bank account.

Discretionary Bursary

Eligibility Criteria:

Students currently in receipt of Free School Meals and/or Universal Credit, or whose gross annual household income is less than £20,000
Students must demonstrate that the funds are required for essential costs, as defined below, and must demonstrate this by completing a Statement of Need
The sum awarded will be at the school’s absolute discretion, and assessments will be conducted based on income, circumstances in the household (such as the number of dependent children), identified need and the number of applications received.

Payment:

Cash awards will be payable in 3 termly instalments, November, February and June, by bank transfer direct into the student’s bank account.
Payments can also be made ‘in kind’ for some requirements, such as contributions towards trips linked to the student’s course.

Essential Costs

The bursary fund is intended to help students with the essential costs of participating in their study programme, such as public transport costs to and from school; essential books and equipment; specialist clothing that the student might need in order to participate in the course, such as protective overalls or sports kit; contributions towards course-related activities and visits.

The bursary fund is not intended to support costs not related to education (e.g. living costs), extra-curricular activities where these are not essential to the student’s study programme, or provide learning support such as counselling, mentoring or extra tutoring.

Application Process

Eligible students should apply for the bursary as soon as possible after enrolment in September for Year 12, and/or soon after progressing to Year 13, by completing the application form below. Completed applications, with copies of supporting evidence, should be submitted to Mrs Fakorede in the Newstead Wood School Sixth Form office. Initial applications must be submitted by Friday 29 September 2024.

Assessments will be conducted in October, January and April each year to confirm, review and/or authorise ongoing payments. The school reserves the right to cease payments to a student where their level of attendance or behaviour falls below the expectations of the Sixth Form.

Please click this link to be taken to the DfE website 16-19 Bursary Fund - Your Questions Answered

Bursary Application Form - please complete and return to Mrs Fakorede

Newstead Wood School Access Programme

Our aim is to make the Sixth Form at Newstead as supportive and inclusive as possible to all students. We want to reduce any worries that potential students and their parents/carers may have about applying to join our Sixth Form.

In addition to the financial support offered through the 16-19 Bursary, we also provide the highest quality support and guidance possible to facilitate Newstead students from all backgrounds to ‘grow in strength’ and access routes for life beyond school.

We have developed the Newstead Sixth Form Access Programme to identify those students who may be eligible for these access opportunities and who may require additional support.

To join the Newstead Sixth Form Access Programme, students would usually meet at least two of the following criteria:

First generation applicant to Higher Education
Parents, guardian, or self in receipt of a means tested benefit
Young people looked after by a Local Authority, or who have been in care or looked after for three months or more
In receipt of 16-19 bursary
Resident in an area with a postcode which falls within the lowest 20% of the IMD (Index of Multiple Deprivation), or a member of a travelling family
In receipt of free school meals at any time during Years 10-13 (normally for a minimum period of at least one school term/2 months)
Eligible for the UCAT Bursary
Participation in a recognised, academically focused university outreach or widening participation programme.

Please follow the link below for further details and the application form.

Newstead Wood School Access Programme - Further details and application form