The school is provided with funds by the EFA (Education Funding Agency) specifically for the provision of bursaries to 16 – 19 year-olds continuing their education at the school.

Bursaries will be made available to help young people overcome financial barriers to their participation in education at school.

Priority will be given to applications from students who, without extra finance, would find it difficult to continue with post-16 education. Students will therefore need to demonstrate the reason support is required and, for Discretionary Bursaries should attempt to access all other available funding sources prior to application.

Eligibility for Bursary Awards in 2025-2026

To be eligible to receive a bursary, the young person must be aged under 19 on 31st August in the academic year in which they start their programme of study.  Where a young person turns 19 during their programme of study, they can continue to be supported to the end of the academic year in which they turn 19, or to the end of the programme of study, whichever is the sooner.

Young people must satisfy the residency criteria as stated in the document EFA Funding Guidance for the 2025 to 2026 academic year (available on the DfE website www.education.gov.uk) and must be undertaking a full-time course at The King's Academy funded by the EFA.  

The following groups of young people are eligible to apply for bursaries:

• Vulnerable young people.

• Young people who were eligible for free school meals at any point in the previous 6 years and/or become eligible during the academic year 2025-2026

• Learners facing financial hardship

• Be aged 16 or over but under 19 on 31 August 2025 or 

• Be aged 19 or over on 31 August 2025 and have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)  

• Be aged 19 or over on 31 August 2025 and continuing on a study programme, they began aged 16–18  

The King's Academy will take into account any allowances or other sources of financial support received when deciding whether to award a bursary.

Vulnerable Bursaries  

The 16-19 Bursary Fund Guide for 2025/2026 outlines four defined vulnerable groups. The eligible groups are students who: 

• Are in or have recently left local authority care 

• Get Income Support or Universal Credit because they financially support themselves. 

• Get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in their own name and either Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit 

• Get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in their own name and either,  ESA or Universal Credit 

Students falling into one or more of these groups are eligible for a vulnerable bursary of up to £1,200 for the year (pro-rated where appropriate). Please note there is not an automatic entitlement to this funding if you fall into one of the above groups, so please show on your application how this funding will help your education. The amount you may get depends on the costs you have and what you need for your course. This might include money for books, equipment or travel costs to an academy or college. 

Discretionary Bursaries  

All 16 to 19 students may apply for a discretionary bursary. Bursaries are targeted at students who cannot stay in education without financial help for things like transport, meals, books and equipment. 

Three bands of eligibility will apply: 

Band 1 – annual household income of £16,190 or less, or parents in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Universal Credit or an equivalent benefit. Students in this band will be prioritised for a bursary. Awards will reflect the student’s needs and can be used for academy meals, to contribute towards the costs of bus travel to the academy, educational visits during the year, exam re-sit fees, costs of visiting university open days / interviews, books or other educational equipment costs.  

Band 2 – annual household income between £16,190 and £25,000. These students will also receive bursaries but at a smaller contribution to Band 1 students.  

Band 3 – annual household income between £25,000 and £32,000. We will consider offering students in this band a small contribution towards identified costs such as transport or planned educational trips. 

Band 4 –  if unallocated bursary funds are available, the academy will consider requests for bursary support from any student, regardless of eligibility under the above bands, where that student has an exceptional and identified financial need.  

Evidence

Proof of eligibility is required to support an application. This could include:

• Tax Credits forms (TC602)
• Family P60s
• 3 months’ worth of recent bank statements
• Certified letter from the LA regarding Free Academy Meals eligibility
• Letter from DWP or Jobcentre Plus confirming benefits
• Self-Employment Income evidence. 

Conditions

Young people who are awarded a bursary will be expected to meet the following conditions relating to attendance, behaviour and completion of work and courses:

• 100% attendance.

• No behaviour or conduct issues

• Responding positively to course criteria – completing modules in line with expectations

• Completion of examination year

Applications for Bursaries

Applications are available at the bottom of the page and should be handed in with relevant evidence to Miss Harnett.

Applications will be reviewed by the Vice Principal and the Business and Operations manager. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application as soon as reasonably possible but no later than within 10 working days of receipt of a correctly completed application.

Useful Links

Further information for young people, parents and carers which should be read in conjunction with this policy is available on:
http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/youngpeople/studentsupport/funding/a00203061/16-19-bursaries
http://www.direct.gov.uk/16-19bursary