Bursaries & Free School Meals
Free School Meals
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Harris Westminster Sixth Form provides Free School Meals (FSM) for eligible students through our canteen.
Students do not automatically continue FSM from Year 11 under the new government guidance. All sixth form students must have their eligibility assessed in line with post‑16 funding guidance.
Students who believe they are eligible should complete the FSM application process via the HWSF Bursary Application Form at enrolment. Evidence provided will be used to determine eligibility for Free School Meals.
Free School Meals in further education are not the same as school (pre‑16) FSM, and eligibility must be reassessed when a student joins the sixth form. We reassure parents and carers that all information is handled sensitively and in strict confidence.
The government has made the change in eligibility a legal requirement through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026. Going forward, there will be two categories of benefits-based free school meals:
- Targeted Free School Meals - households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less
- Expanded Free School Meals - students who do not qualify for targeted FSM, but who are in households receiving Universal Credit
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-2026-to-2027.
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.
