We understand you might have a lot of questions as you look to make the step from high school to college. If you can’t find an answer to your question below you can email admissions@priestley.ac.uk and we will get back to you. We will also add your question and answers to the list below so that it might help others.
Students’ mental health and wellbeing is a priority at Priestley. We have a Study Support base in the Learning Resource Centre, but we also have our wellbeing practitioner Caroline and a Counsellor Jane. Both will be available to support you when you start at college. You will also have a Personal Tutor with whom you will be able to discuss any concerns you have and who will refer you to Jane and Caroline.
Not necessarily, especially as many of the courses we offer at Priestley are not available at GCSE. However, you would be best to email admission@priestley.ac.uk with questions about specific courses.
You can find out everything you need to know about courses on our website. Just hit the COURSES button at the top of the page for the full list of what is available. You can also email questions to admissions@priestley.ac.uk and we will get them answered as soon as possible. You could also join our next Virtual Open Event on 3rd March at 5.30pm when there will be subject presentations and tutors will be available to answer your questions.
You can find out all the latest information about bus routes to Priestley College on our Travel Page > https://www.priestley.ac.uk/student-life/travel/
Information about all bursaries available to our students can be found here > https://www.priestley.ac.uk/bursaries/
Please see below typical examples of a Vocational timetable and an A-Level timetable.
You can download a bursary application form here > Free School Meals and Bursary Application Form 2020 2021
If you would prefer to have an application form posted to you please email studentservices@priestley.ac.uk, providing your full name and address.
If you are a prospective student and looking to submit a bursary application, forms will be available in Summer and will need to be submitted prior to Enrolment.
16-18 bursaries
If you are between 16 and 18-years-old on September 1 2020 you may be entitled to apply for support from either the National Bursary Scheme or the Priestley Education and Training Trust (PETT).
Vulnerable Learner Bursary
The defined vulnerable groups are students who are:
- in care
- care leavers
- receiving Income Support, or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them such as a child or partner
- receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit in their own right
Core Bursary and Free School Meals
Available to students whose parents/carers receive one or more of the following:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers’ Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- 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 HM Revenue and Customs) that does not exceed £16,190
- Universal Credit benefit, with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 pa (example can be found on our website www.priestley.ac.uk of the Universal Credit monthly award notice. Your award notice can be found in your journal when you log in online to your UC account).
The Core Bursary can be used for travel costs and equipment. For example, to pay for a relevant bus pass or an Art Kit.
Mainstream Bursaries
1 ] These bursaries are for students not eligible for a core bursary where their parents or carers have an annual income of less than £21,000.
2 ] Bursaries that are for those who face emergency short-term financial hardship.
Bursary Funds can be used to support costs with: Travel, meals, equipment and materials, course related visits, UCAS applications, sport activities, and/or one-off emergencies.
Priestley Education and Training Trust (PETT) Bursaries
Priestley College formed a charity with the aim of supporting those in most need. If you are not eligible for one of the 16-18 bursaries you may be able to apply for a PETT bursary.
Discretionary Learner Support Fund
This fund is for those students who will be 19 or older on 1 September 2020 who face significant financial hardship. This fund supports costs as listed above but can also be used to support costs for Tuition and exam fees and / or child care.
This is for students who are not entitled to mainstream bursary due to their age. To qualify for this fund the criteria is the same as for the Core Bursary or where household income being below £21,000.
Other Sources of Financial Support
Child Benefit
Parents can continue to claim Child Benefit until their child’s 20th birthday if they stay in full-time education.
Care to Learn
Those students under the age of 20 can apply for financial support to cover childcare costs up to £160 per week through the Care to Learn scheme. Childcare must be provided by an OFSTED registered childcare provider.
Bursary and Free School Meals Applications
Application forms can be downloaded from our website or collected from Student Services. They can be returned – with supporting documentation – to Student Services during the summer holiday rather than waiting for registration.
Any questions: You can phone to speak in confidence to a member of our Student Services Team on 01925 633591.
Please email admissions@priestley.ac.uk about this or any other similar queries.
If restrictions allow us to welcome you into college at some point we will certainly aim to do so. We will also be providing a 3D virtual tour of the college soon just in case you are unable to visit the campus in person.
