What is the Bursary Fund?

The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund helps sixth form students with the essential costs of staying in education — things like travelling to school, meals, books, equipment and course trips. Haydon School receives this funding from the Department for Education and decides how it is awarded to our students. If money is a barrier to you taking part fully in your course, please apply. Your application is confidential.

Applications for 2026-27 close on Friday 23 October 2026. If you miss the deadline, apply anyway — later applications are considered in date order, subject to available funds, and there is a further opportunity to apply in March 2027. If you join part-way through the year or your circumstances change, you can apply at any time.

Who can apply?

You must be aged 16 or over, but under 19, on 31 August 2026, and meet the residency criteria. There are three types of support.

Type A — if you are in one of the defined vulnerable groups
You can apply if you are:
• in care, or a care leaver
• receiving Income Support or Universal Credit in your own right, because you are financially supporting yourself, or yourself and someone who depends on you and lives with you
• receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment in your own right, and also Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit in your own right. 

Up to £1,200 a year is available. The amount you receive depends on the costs you actually face, so tell us on the form what you need support with. Students are not automatically awarded £1,200.

Type B — discretionary bursary
You can apply if you receive free school meals, or your household receives means-tested benefits. The assessment panel decides the amount each year, based on your household income and the costs you have identified.

Type C — in-kind support for a specific purpose

If you have a financial need and a specific educational cost, you can apply for in-kind support of up to £100 in an academic year. Wherever possible, we buy the item for you rather than asking you to pay and claim back. Type C applications can be made at any point in the year.
What the bursary can be used for
• transport to school
• meals in school
• books, equipment and specialist materials
• specialist clothing or footwear for your course
• essential educational trips and field trips
• UCAS fees, and travel to university open days and interviews

The fund cannot be used for general living costs, household bills, counselling, mentoring or tutoring, or activities that are not essential to your course.

Will I definitely get a bursary?
No. Meeting the criteria above does not guarantee an award. We assess both whether you are eligible and what your actual costs are. A student with no participation costs would not receive funding, and awards are limited by the funding available. We will always tell you the outcome in writing.

How to apply
Complete the application form and return it to the Sixth Form Administrator with your supporting evidence. You will need to apply again each academic year. If you are having difficulty getting hold of the evidence, come and talk to us — we can help.

If you have any questions about the bursary, please contact Mr N Hayyan, Assistant Headteacher for
Sixth Form, on nhayyan@haydonschoool.com