Does your 6th Form DC get any money from the 16-19 bursary fund?

[EvilTwins]

And if so, how did their school/college work out who got what?

This is the fund which replaced EMA. Just interested really - new thing this year, and the school at which I am Head of 6th Form had to sort it out really quickly. We want to get something more suitable organised for September so I'm interested in what has worked/not worked in other places.

TIA

A friend's son got a huge backpayment just before the easter holidays, it had taken that long to work out who was entitled to what.

No idea how it was worked out, child is only child from a single parent family, mum is a student.

Sorry that is probably a totally useless post.

From what DS says. In his post 16 DC in care get money but he doesn't know how much. The only others that get anything are those on FSM. They were allocated £50 per month and this was increased to £75 per month after Christmas. The older sibs of the lads he knows got £30 per week under EMA.
Those not on FSM who used to qualify get nothing. Even FSM get no extra help with trips etc the £50/£75 is supposed to cover everything.

Maybe MN is not the best place to ask about this OP .

It seems not

Basically the EMA is now scrapped when the current Yr13 leave and the schools are given an amount to adminster. There is a list of rules and regs you can get from the YPLA. However most Sixth Forms I know, including my own, have taken the view that they do not hand out weekly amounts but will pay for books, some trips, fsm, maybe some travel, and a termly amount of about £50 to cover printing pens etc so it is all linked to education. Students have to fill in an application and it still has to be supported by paperwork for audit purposes.

Thanks, happily - I know how it's supposed to work- see my OP . Was interested in how other places have done it this year, that's all. I want to be more effective with the distribution of funds next year than this. Interesting to read that providing stuff rather than cash has been working for others.

Students fill in a form at the start of the year (or during the year if their financial circumstances change) we then decide how much will be allocated over the year, From their courses we know what revision books are recommended, whether or not the subject attends revision days or has trips linked with the curriculum, school lunch money will be loaded onto the student card each term, then £50 per term for sundries. It has been easier to adminster than EMA and has caused less grief as it is all linked to being in school and supporting education. Only in extreme circumstances would we pay money on a weekly or monthly basis - no one this year and unlikely to get anyone like that next year. Some parents were not pleased but we laid out our policy very clearly.

We still have Year 13s on EMA who have part time jobs and a bit of a party-on lifestyle who refuse to contribute to any aspect of their education. I think there was a sense of unfairness in it all given their attitude.

The other Sixth Forms that follow a similar policy have thought it is a better targeted support compared to the old EMA.

Thanks Happily that's useful. What sort of thing did you put in the form? And did you ask for documentary evidence? One of our issues this year was parents not wanting to disclose that kind of information to the school. Also, we have at least one student who has to "pay her own way" (including paying her mum board) from her part time job, so asking about parental income wouldn't necessarily help.

When students applied to EMA they needed to supply evidencei so the new Bursary Fund is now different . We ask basic questions in line with FSM - do they qualify to tax credits, housing allowance. Most of it is tick box stuff but a copy of the letter that says that the parents qualify for working tax credits of a certain amount is suffice as it means that a government agency has already checked parental income so we do not have to do that. It can be very difficult but we have been very proactive with encouraging people to apply and always on the look out for another way to support students. Paying for trips has been really good for students who qualify. If you want a copy of my form - message me with an e-mail address.

If the school is audited by the powers that be we have to be able to justify when some students got it and others did not so the evidence bit is important.

Do you do WEX in Yr12 and have you made it compulsory?

Have PMd you Happily

We used to have compulsory WEX in Yr 12, but half of them just did extra hours at their part time job, so we haven't done it this year. Instead, we've done a series of enterprise/employability activities, and those who do BTEC Health & Social Care do the WEX they need to complete that element of their course.