What is the 16-19 Bursary?
Some students may encounter financial barriers to participation in their studies at LAB16. These costs could include travel to and from school, the buying of essential books, equipment or clothing required for their study programme. These are items the student would otherwise need to pay for to participate in their programme. Eligible students can apply for the 16-19 Bursary to help cover some or all of these costs. Eligible students may also access this funding in order to cover costs of attending work experience, university open days and interviews, as well as the UCAS application fee. Please note that the bursary is only intended to support students with participating in their studies and not to provide support for general living costs or additional learning support.
Who is eligible for the 16-19 Bursary?
Eligibility is based on whether the student meets the ‘Vulnerable Group Bursary’ criteria, or Leigh Academy Blackheath’s ‘Discretionary Bursary’ criteria.
Vulnerable Group Bursary criteria: students may be eligible for the 16-19 Bursary if at least one of the following applies:
- The student is in or has recently left local authority care.
- The student receives Income Support or Universal Credit because they’re financially supporting themself.
- The student receives Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in their name and either Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit.
- The student receives Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in their name and either ESA or Universal Credit.
Discretionary Bursary criteria: students may be eligible for the 16-19 Bursary if at least one of the following applies:
- A household income below £25000
- The student has an EHCP
Application
Students wishing to apply for the 16-19 Bursary must complete an application form – this can be submitted by a parent/carer if preferred. Application forms will be issued to students on enrolment to the academy but are also available by request, please contact: LAB16@leighacademyblackheath.org.uk.
Applications must be submitted no later than 1st October. Evidence of household income will be required.
All applications will be considered by the leadership team. The student and parent/carer will be notified of the decision along with an indication of the allocation and conditions.
Changes of circumstances
Students and/or parents/carers must inform the academy if their circumstances change. Year 13 students who were in receipt of the 16-19 Bursary in year 12 are not required to reapply at the start of the new academic year, however they must submit a declaration to confirm that their circumstances have not changed and therefore remain eligible for the bursary.
If a LAB16 student in either academic year wasn’t originally eligible for the bursary but their circumstances have now changed, or there is an emergency causing them to be in financial hardship, they may contact the academy to make an application at any point.
Payment and Conditions
The amount that an eligible student receives for the bursary depends on their individual circumstances and their actual financial needs. Students will be asked to complete a needs assessment in order to make this judgement.
Students will have access to the funding through:
- A regular instalment paid into the student’s bank account after each module.
- An allowance that students can claim from to reimburse costs that they will or have faced participating in their studies.
Leigh Academy Blackheath reserves the right to withhold the bursary if a student fails to meet expectations for attendance and behaviour. Students must satisfy the following conditions to continue receiving bursary payments:
- Punctuality: no more than three AM/PM late marks in the module.
- Attendance: at least 95% attendance (or at least 90% for part payment).
- Dress Code: compliance with the LAB16 Dress Code.
- Assignments: remain on track with the completion of any assignments.
Further information and queries
For more information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund
If you have any questions about the 16-19 Bursary or queries relating to an application or payments, please contact: LAB16@leighacademyblackheath.org.uk.
A copy of the 16-19 Bursary Policy for Leigh Academy Blackheath can be found on the academy’s policies page.