Funds to support students in their post-16 studies are limited, but the government has made available a bursary fund to enable students who face particular personal or financial challenges to be supported in their education.

Only learners aged under 19 on 31 August in the academic year in which he/she starts their Sixth Form study are eligible to access this bursary funding.

Children in care, care leavers and students in receipt of income support are currently guaranteed a non-discretionary bursary.

Beyond this all awards are discretionary and depend on the availability of adequate funds and the volume of eligible applications. The budget funding for bursaries is limited; learners who are technically eligible for support are not automatically entitled to discretionary bursaries. Eligibility and the level of award is dependent upon the learner's personal circumstances and/or level of household income.

Learners are encouraged and expected to access other forms of financial support. This will be considered when their applications for bursaries are accessed.

Bursaries will be used to help young people pay for the costs related to participation whilst attending their course, for example transport, books and equipment and other course-related costs.

The payment of awards will be dependent upon satisfactory behaviour, attitude and attendance. Whole or part payment may be withheld if standards in this regard are not met.

Full guidance on eligibility and making an application is available below. Applications are made online at the following link: https://smrt6thbursary.applicaa.com/

Free School Meals

For information on free school meals please see our the School Dinners section of the website.

Post-16 Tutoring Fund

SMRT Sixth Form is in receipt of an allocation of additional funding this year to provide catch-up tutoring to those affected by the Covid Pandemic.

Our allocation and deployment of this funding is summarised here.