Letters, Post-16 Letters

Cost of Living Increases

Posted on by Mr M Gore
26
Nov

Dear Parents/Carers

Cost of Living Increases 

We are aware of the recent cost of living increases. In order to support parents and carers we would like to make you aware of the following provisions that are in place for students at Wilmington Academy: 

Free School Meals Provisions

Your child may be entitled to free school meals provided by the academy. By making an early application for free school meals we are able to plan for the upcoming academic year. 

For your child to qualify for free school meals you will need to be able to prove that you are in receipt and can provide the relevant proof of one of the following benefits:

  • 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)
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guarantee element of Pension Credit
  • 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

If you feel that your child may be entitled to free school meals you can make an application through Kent County Council by using the following link – https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/kent/apply 

Wilmington Community Church Food Bank – The Pantry

The Pantry is for people experiencing food poverty who live within a mile radius of the church.  It is open every Thursday between 10am and 12pm and can be found at 39 Broad Lane, Wilmington, Kent DA2 7AQ

Uniform Swap Shop Collection

Through the generosity of parents and carers of students here at Wilmington Academy, we have now amassed many items of spare school uniform for any families that may need it. Please contact your child’s College Admin Office if there are any items you may need.

Wilmington Wheels

We have a small number of bicycles available for students to borrow – please contact your child’s College Admin Office should the use of one of these support your child’s journey to and from school.

Post 16 (6th Form) – 16-19 Bursary

The Bursary is designed to help students with education-related costs in Post 16, such as clothing, textbooks, equipment, and transportation to and from school.  Your child could potentially qualify for the bursary if one of the following criteria can be met:

  • They are a young person in care;
  • They are a young care leaver;
  • They are in receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit in place of Income Support;
  • They are in receipt of both Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit and Disability Living or Personal Independence Payments;
  • They are in receipt of Free School Meals;
  • Your combined household income is less than £20,000 per annum.

If you believe that your son/daughter meets any of the criteria above, please could you complete and return the attached bursary form to a member of the Post 16 team.  Please note, should your child meet the criteria above, payments are made on a termly basis, directly to them.

Student Cards

There are also numerous student cards which provide discounts and offers, including:

If your son/daughter is looking to apply for one of these cards, we would be more than happy to provide confirmation of their full-time student status. 

Please find below some useful information and links in relation to potential support that may be available to you:

If you need any help with completing any of these applications please feel free to contact us via post16@wilmingtonacademy.org.uk.

Yours faithfully

Michael Gore | Principal

Mr M Gore

Principal at Wilmington Academy