On this page you will find information about the following
financial awards and benefits for pupils attending
our schools:
Application forms for educational awards and benefits can be
printed from the links to the relevant forms under Useful documents at the foot of this
page. Please make sure you sign the application form and, if
requested, attach evidence of income otherwise your application
will be delayed.
If, after reading the information on this page and on the
attached application forms, you are unsure whether you qualify for
an award, please submit an application form and we will contact you
with the outcome.
Alternatively you can visit our One Stop Shop in person to
find out about these awards and to hand in an application.
Free school meals
From 6 April 2008 the income 'threshold', which
forms part of the 'Tax Credit' free school meal eligibility
category, will be £15,575.
Free school meals are awarded to pupils whose
parents/legal guardians receive:
- Income Support and Child Benefit
- Income Based job Seekers Allowance
- The Guarantee element of State Pension
Credit
- Child Tax Credit, provided they are
not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an
annual income (as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs)
that as of 6 April 2008 does not exceed
£15,575
- Or who are being supported by the National
Asylum Support Service
- Or who are being supported by a Local
Authority Social Services Asylum Team
Children who receive IS or IBJSA in their own right are also
entitled to receive free school meals.
Please complete the application form below, visit our
One Stop Shop in
person or contact our Awards team.
School uniform awards
The clothing and uniform awards scheme ceased on 1 September
2008 and no new applications were accepted after 23 July
2008. Awards will only be granted in exceptional
circumstances and each case will be considered
individually. For more information about the exceptional
circumstances criteria please contact our Awards team.
Pupils' travel awards
These awards are not means tested for pupils aged 5-16
years. They are issued according to a policy that takes into
account distance travelled to school, the pupil's age and other
factors. Please read the notes on the application form below
for a full explanation of the policy. If you need further
guidance please contact our Awards Team.
Free travel on all London Bus and tram networks is available to
all under 18's. Transport for London has now
enhanced free travel for 10 year olds and
under to travel free anywhere on the bus, Tube,
tram, DLR and London Overground at any time. Oyster and Zip cards
will be required for specific age groups. For more information
visit the Transport for London website
(choose the "Tickets" menu) or call the Oyster helpline 0845 330
9876.
Learner Support Funds
For the current academic year 2008/09, the
Authority has received “Learner Support Funds” from the Government
for Sixth Form pupils attending a school.
In order to qualify for Learner Support Funds
pupils must reside in Redbridge, attend a Sixth Form School and be
in receipt of EMA 2008/09 (Education Maintenance
Allowance).
A Learner
Support Funds application form (PDF 43Kb) will need to be
completed and returned with an
EMA
confirmation letter to
our Admissions and Awards
Team by 24 November 2008 (deadline
extended due to
EMA
delays).
If you would like further information,
please contact our Admissions and Awards Team.
Sixth form travel awards
In order to qualify for a sixth form travel award:
- pupils must live more than 3 miles from the school
attended
- the family gross income must also not be in excess of £12,000
for the current financial year
- and a third of the pupil's EMA
entitlement will need to be contributed towards their travel
costs.
Families in receipt of Income Support or Income Based Job
Seekers Allowance will automatically qualify for a travel award,
subject to the distance criteria being met. Please complete
the application form below, or contact our Awards Team for
more information.
Sixth form maintenance awards
A sixth form maintenance award may be paid to help you if your
child is over school leaving age and wants to stay on at
school. Awards are paid only until the pupil reaches the age
of 19 and are based on your income. To qualify for an award
the family gross income must not exceed £12,000 for the current
financial year. Please read the notes on the application form
below for a full explanation of the policy.
If you qualify for a sixth form maintenance award you may also
be entitled to sixth form access funding. Please contact our
Awards
Team for more information.
Useful websites
- Education Maintenance
Allowance
EMA is a weekly payment to help with day-to-day costs faced by
young people staying on at school, college or other training
provider.
Useful documents