Bursaries & Free School Meals
Free School Meals
Many students at Harris Westminster are entitled to Free School Meals which are provided by our canteen. If your child received FSM in Y11 and you provided proof of this as part of the enrolment process then they will automatically receive them at sixth form. If they have not been in receipt of free school meals in the past, they must apply via the HWSF Busary application form when starting at Harris Westminster Sixth Form. We can assure parents and carers that all matters regarding FSM are treated with discretion and in confidence.
The evidence you provide as part of the bursary application will enable to assess whether are eligible for free schools meals. Free meals in further education defines disadvantage as students being in receipt of, or having parents who are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC))
- Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after someone stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 pa
Travel Bursaries
A bursary can be used for travel and is available if your child is in receipt of Free School Meals and they travel to school via train and/ or underground. If your application is successful then the full cost of travel, using the 16-19 Oyster card, will be reimbursed every few weeks.
16-19 Bursary Fund
Many students at Harris Westminster are entitled to the 16-19 Government Bursary Fund for students from low income families and children in care. Application forms are provided to all students within their enrolment packs.This Bursary helps with educational costs throughout the academic year. Full details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/16-to-19-bursary-fund-guidance/16-to-19-bursary-fund-guide-2025-to-2026.
Students will need to re-apply for the bursary each academic year. Forms can be collected from Reception. Once the students' application has been approved, they may start making claims for reimbursement. To do this, they will need to attach proof of their purchases to a claim form which can be collected from Reception.
Please click here to see some helpful guidelines regarding our bursary scheme.
