Application & Information - 16-19 bursary 2025/26
16-19 Bursary Information
Academic Year
2025/26
- What is the Bursary?
Financial support can be provided to students of families who are on low incomes to help with the extra costs of staying on in education. The following information details our Academy’s management of the Bursary funds.
All Post 16 students can apply. Each application will be assessed to determine if the student and/or their family’s personal financial situation meets the criteria to be deemed eligible for support.
- What should the bursary be used for?
The following list is not fully inclusive but suggests examples of what students should use their bursary for.
- Books and other educational resources that relate to subjects being studied
- Travel expenses incurred going to and from the Academy
- Trips of educational value that are directly related to programmes of study e.g. field trip, theatre visit, subject conference.
- Uniform
- Emergency meal support
- Who is eligible for a bursary?
3.1 Vulnerable Learners
Students who have been predetermined as vulnerable under any of the following statements as decided by the government will qualify for financial support. Students deemed to be eligible for this payment are:
- A student who is in local authority care
- A student who is a care leaver
- A student in receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves.
- A student who receives Disability Living Allowance (DSA) or Personal Independence payments in their own right and Employment Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit in their own right.
This group of young people could receive up to £1200 per year (which may be paid in-kind), as long as they meet the criteria set out in section 3.4 below.
3.2 Students from low income households (Discretionary Bursary)
This fund is designed to support students from households where their total income is low. Co-op Academy Southfield deem this to be a combined household income of less than £30,000 (i.e. gross income before tax, after pension deductions but including any benefits). This means that all students eligible for free school meals are automatically also eligible for a discretionary bursary. Students who were in receipt of Free School Meals within the last 6 years will also be automatically eligible to access discretionary bursary funds, with allocations based on need.
3.3 Exceptional Bursary Fund
In a situation where a student is from a household experiencing short term financial difficulties but is not necessarily eligible for the Post-16 bursary, we reserve the right to award exceptional funds to remove barriers to learning. These funds are not covered in the assessment form, so if circumstances arise which may lead to consideration of an exceptional payment, please speak to Tim Rushworth (SENCO and Assitant Headteacher) in the first instance.
In these circumstances we will require a letter explaining any short-term difficulties and any relevant supporting documentation, e.g. tax credit award notice, proof of household income.
3.4 Other Criteria
In addition to the assessment form, Co-op Academy Southfield has the following criteria that must be met in order for a student to receive financial support.
- Attendance – must be above 90% in the last 3 months
- Engagement in Learning – class tutor agrees the student has a positive attitude to learning.
The above criteria will be assessed and if they are deemed not to have been met, any bursary allocations will be withdrawn. If there are exceptional circumstances which lead to any of the above criteria not being met, please speak to Tim Rushworth immediately so that these can be considered.
- How will eligibility be assessed?
Assessment will be made using the attached application form.
Section 2 considers eligibility based on the government criteria for a Vulnerable Learner.
Section 3 considers eligibility based on the income of parents / guardians living in the family home (including step parents), or sole income if a student lives with just one parent/guardian. The qualifying level of income is below £30,000 per annum.
Evidence of household annual income, including benefits, must be provided to support every application. Details of what support to provide is given on the assessment form. Please provide photocopies of your documents with your assessment form. Without this documentation we will be unable to process your application.
Any evidence that can be provided to support sections 2 and 3 should be submitted with the application form. Following review of the application, students may be requested to provide further evidence.
Once eligibility has been determined, the value of the bursary and details of what funds can be used to pay for will be communicated to students. The Academy will pay bursaries in-kind rather than cash where possible.
If your household income changes during the year, you must inform the Academy immediately.
The final decision regarding eligibility for Post-16 Discretionary Bursary Funding lies with the Academy.
- What to do next:
If you think you may be eligible for a bursary, complete the Financial Assessment Form.
- Photocopy the relevant documentation to support your application.
- Take your form and documentation to Tim Rushworth
If you have any questions, please contact Tim Rushworth by phone on 01274 779662 or email tim.rushworth@coopacademies.co.uk.
- Your personal data
Under the current General Data Protection Regulations, our Academy has a responsibility to ensure that your personal information is processed responsibly and securely. Full details about this, and your rights, are set out in the pupil and parent privacy notices on our Trust website:
https://www.coopacademies.co.uk/gdpr-and-data-protection/
Co-op Academy Southfield 16-19 Bursary Fund 2025/26
Application Form
If you wish to apply for Bursary Funding for the 2025/26 academic year, please read the eligibility letter first then complete this form in block capitals and return to the Reception / tutor for the attention of Tim Rushworth, Assistant Headteacher. Contact details:
tim.rushworth@coopacademies.co.uk Tel: 01274 779662
Please bring photocopies of supporting documentation with you.
Section 1 - Student Details | |||
Student ID Number: | Student Tutor Group: | ||
Student First name: | Student Surname: | ||
Your contact numbers: | Mobile: | Home: | |
Email address: | |||
Your address: | |||
Name of bank: (where the bursary will be paid into) | Name of account holder: | ||
Sort code: | Account number: | ||
Building society reference number: | |||
Eligibility will also be dependent on Attendance and Attitudes to Learning. If students do not attain the set criteria, bursary allocations will be withdrawn.
Section 2 - Tier 1 Bursary (Vulnerable Learners) | ||
Any student who meets the eligibility criteria to be a young person in one of the defined vulnerable groups (listed below), may be eligible for a bursary of up to £1,200 for term-time only. Please tick the appropriate box for any circumstances that apply. | ||
Eligibility Groups for this bursary: | Tick | Supporting Evidence required |
Student is in care or is a care leaver. | Local Authority data will be used. If you have been in care outside Bradford, please supply the name of the local authority. | |
Student is living independently and in receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit. | Please attach benefits paperwork dated within the last three months. Evidence must clearly state the student is entitled to benefits in their own right. | |
Student is in receipt of both
| Please attach both benefits paperwork dated with the last three months. | |
If you have ticked any of the above boxes, you may be eligible for a Vulnerable Learners bursary.
Please skip to section 4 (unless you wish to apply for additional funding in section 3).
The Academy will only submit a funding claim to the School Bursary Support Service once sufficient evidence has been provided.
The Academy may decide that although a student is eligible for a Tier 1 Bursary, it is not required as they do not have financial need and do not need further support.
Section 3.1 - Tier 2 Main Discretionary Bursary (Low Income Households) | ||
The School will pay bursaries in-kind rather than cash where possible, allocating funds on travel costs, meals, uniform, equipment, or any other costs that have been identified as necessary to enable your child to participate in education. The amount awarded will be based on need. | ||
Eligibility Groups for this bursary: | Tick | Supporting Evidence required |
In receipt of Free School Meals at any point over the last 6 years. | Our data team will have this information. You do NOT need to provide further financial information in this section. Skip to section 4. | |
Families in receipt of Working Tax Credit and gross household income of £30,000 or less. | Please attach current Tax Credit award notice or Universal Credit monthly award notice. | |
Families with gross household income of £30,000 or less. | Please attach current proof of annual household income (e.g. P60 or self-employed accounts). | |
Section 3.2 – Parent/Carer Details | ||
Please enter details of parent(s)/carer(s) in your household | Parent/Carer 1 | Parent/Carer 2 |
Surname: | ||
First name(s) | ||
Relationship to Student | ||
Telephone | ||
Section 3.3 – Financial Assessment – Income from Employment | ||
Please tick the appropriate box | Parent/Carer 1 | Parent/Carer 2 |
Are you employed? If yes, please submit P60 for most recent completed tax year | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ |
Section 3.4 – Financial Assessment – Benefits | ||
Please tick whether you are in receipt of the following benefits | Parent/Carer 1 | Parent/Carer 2 |
Income Support | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ |
Job Seekers Allowance | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ |
Employment and Support Allowance | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ |
Support under Part VI of the immigration and Asylum Act 1999 | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ |
Incapacity Benefit | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ |
The guaranteed element of Pension Credit | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ |
Carer’s Allowance | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ |
Housing Benefit | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ |
Council Tax Benefit | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ |
Universal Credit | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ |
Section 3.5 – Financial Assessment – Other Income | |||
Please tick the relevant boxes to indicate all other income received into the household | Parent/Carer 1 | Parent/Carer 2 | Student |
Working Tax Credit | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ |
Child Tax Credit | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ |
Child Benefit | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ |
Grants or bursaries etc. | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ |
Any other income/benefit (please specify) | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ | Yes ☐ / No ☐ |
Evidence must be provided for all income declared in 3.4 and 3.5 above.
Please photocopy the relevant documents and attach them to this form prior to submission.
Section 4 – What the Bursary funds will be used for | |
Please provide details of the type of support that the bursary will provide e.g. transport to and from school, uniform, books and equipment, etc., together with an estimate of the cost of each item. This will help to determine the value of the bursary to be awarded. Please attach extra pages to this section if needed. | |
Section 5 – Declaration (Please read the declaration below carefully before signing) | |
| |
Signature (Learner): | Signature (Parent/Carer 1 or 2): |
Print name (Learner): | Print name (Parent/Carer 1 or 2): |
Date: | Date: |
Appendix 1 – Evidence
The table below shows the evidence you will need to provide with your application form.
Type of Income | Evidence Required |
Annual Salary | P60 for tax year 2024-25 or week 52 (last week in March 2025) payslip or month 12 (March 2025) payslip |
Income Support | Entitlement / Award letter – dated within the last 3 months |
Job Seekers Allowance | Entitlement / Award letter – dated within the last 3 months |
Employment and Support Allowance | Entitlement / Award letter – dated within the last 3 months |
Incapacity Benefit | Entitlement / Award letter – dated within the last 3 months |
Carer’s Allowance | Entitlement / Award letter – dated within the last 3 months |
Housing Benefit | Entitlement / Award letter – dated within the last 3 months |
Council Tax Benefit | Entitlement / Award letter – dated within the last 3 months |
Any other benefit | Entitlement / Award letter – dated within the last 3 months |
Working Tax Credit | Working Tax Credit Award Notice marked “2024-25”. Must be for full year and not partial awards (FULL AWARD NOTICE) |
Child Tax Credit | Working Tax Credit Award Notice marked “2024-25”. Must be for full year and not partial awards (FULL AWARD NOTICE) |
Child Benefit | Award letter for 2024-25 |
Universal Credit | 3 most recent monthly award statements |
Grants or bursaries etc | Relevant paperwork detailing entitlement and amount paid |
Disability Living Allowance | Entitlement / Award letter – dated within the last 3 months |
Any other income | Relevant paperwork |