17 Financial Difficulty Procedures The Academy provides a free education to all students but also provides a number of additional services and activities for which charges will be made. The Academy is committed to the belief that no student should be at a disadvantage if their parents/carers are in receipt of benefits. The Academy is able to offer financial assistance to those students for whom the Academy receive pupil premium or whose parents or carers are in receipt of one of the following benefits: • Income Support • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 • Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190). • Working Tax Credit run-on-paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit • Universal credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods) • The guarantee element of pension credit Students are eligible for free school meals in school in Sixth Form but not Sixth Form College or further education. TRANSACTIONAL PROTECTION In addition, the following pupils will be protected against losing their free school meals as follows: Since 1 April 2018, all existing free school meals claimants have continued to receive free school meals whilst Universal Credit is rolled out.This applies even if their earnings rise above the threshold during that time. Any pupil gaining eligibility for free school meals after 1 April 2018 will be protected against losing free school meals until March 2025. After March 2025, any existing claimants that no longer meet the eligibility criteria at that point (because they are earning above the threshold or are no longer a recipient of Universal Credit) will continue to receive free school meals until the end of their current phase of education (i.e. primary or secondary). MEAL ALLOWANCE • A free meal allowance per day will be allocated to eligible students against the cost of a main meal. Free School Meals (FSM) can be claimed by those students whose parents or carers are in receipt of one of the benefits outlined above. If you feel you may be eligible for Free School Meals you can contact Bedford Borough Council Education Welfare Service and request an application form to be sent to you or apply online via www. bedford.gov.uk. • The Academy restaurant will provide a main meal option with dessert and drink (water) that does not exceed the daily free meal allowance. However, students will be able to make alternative choices and to use the free meal allowance in part payment for their chosen meal. Extras, such as drinks or extra dessert, above the allowance value will need to be paid for by parents/carers. • The Academy reserves the right to reclaim any Academy benefits that are overpaid as a result of any financial misinformation received. UNIFORM AND SPORTS KIT Assistance with the provision of uniform will be provided for those parents/carers whose children are in receipt of free school meals. TRIPS AND VISITS Deposits should, in all cases, be paid for in full by the parent/carer. To apply for assistance with the remaining amount, a letter should be sent to the Finance Department stating the reasons for the application. Reference should be made to the Academy’s Charging and Remissions policy for further guidance. OTHER ENQUIRIES All financial assistance queries should be made in writing to the Finance Department.They will be considered on the grounds of the pupil premium/benefit criteria outlined above.
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