Dear parents/carers,
As the end of the academic year approaches, we wanted to take the opportunity to remind parents that there is a hardship policy available for families that require help with the cost of uniform. The policy can be accessed by the policies tab on the website (https://www.cityfields.outwood.com/policies), similarly a paper copy can be collected from Reception if needed. Please return the completed documents, with proof of benefits for the attention of Sophie Midgley-Davies, either by hand or by email to enquiries@cityfields.outwood.com. More information can be found below.
What is the Hardship Fund?
The Hardship Fund is a discretionary source of financial help available to all registered full time students/pupils. The aim of the Fund is to help students/pupils who have difficulties in paying for:
1. Curriculum trips, visits and year group residential (up to 100% of the cost). At the Principal’s discretion this may cover up to 100% of the cost of other school trips
2. Uniform, shoes or sports kit
3. Other materials or equipment required for their academic studies
4. Expenses to attend seminars, interviews or work experience placements
5. Emergency travel expenses
Payments from the Fund are discretionary and if awarded do not need to be repaid.
The school will consider requests for hardship funding from the following groups of students:
● pupils/students living alone outside the family home
● pupils/students in receipt of free school meals
● pupils/students in families with very low incomes
● pupils/students with disabilities
● pupils/students who are or have been in care/foster care
● pupils/students who have been subject to other exceptional circumstances
Your child(ren) may be eligible for grants from our hardship fund if:
● A household income of below £28,000
● A student/pupils whose parents are currently claiming other means-tested benefits including Income Support, Working Tax Credit/ Child Tax Credit, Income Based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit, who is not entitled to free school meals
● At the discretion of the Principal, any student/pupils who does not fall under the categories listed above, but consider themselves to be in financial hardship Proof of benefit is required.
Proof must be in letter form and:
● Proof of benefit must have been issued within the last six months. Where applicable please provide a copy of the Full Tax Credit Award Notice (TC602)
● Proof must show the family address given
● Proof must be included with the grant application
● Bank statements, incapacity, housing and council tax benefit are not valid proof Letters of Proof of Benefits can be obtained from:
● Inland Revenue Child Benefit Office 0300 200 3100
● Inland Revenue Tax Credits 0345 300 3900
● Jobcentre Plus
● Jobseekers, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance 0800 169 0310 ● Universal Credit 0800 328 9344
● Asylum Help UK 0808 8000 630