Education

Schools, student finance and apprenticeships

• Can I get a bursary at college aged 16 to 19?The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund in England: up to £1,200 a year for vulnerable groups, discretionary bursaries and what they can pay for. From GOV.UK.
• Can I get a grant for school uniform?School uniform grants for 2026/27: the Wales School Essentials Grant, Scottish clothing grant, NI uniform grant and help in England. From official sites.
• Can I home educate my child?Home education in England: when you need council permission, what education you must give, council checks and rules in Scotland and NI. From GOV.UK.
• Can my child get free school meals?From the 2026 to 2027 school year, every family on Universal Credit in England qualifies for free school meals. Who else can get them. From GOV.UK.
• Can my child get free school transport?Home to school transport in England: who gets it free, distance rules by age, safe routes, SEN and low-income rules, and how to apply. From GOV.UK.
• Can students get help with childcare costs?Full-time student parents in England can get a Childcare Grant on top of student finance. Who qualifies and how to apply. From official GOV.UK guidance.
• How do apprenticeships work?How apprenticeships work in England: who can apply, the levels, 20% training time and apprentice pay for 2026/27. From official GOV.UK guidance.
• How do I appeal a school place decision?How to appeal a school place refusal in England: 20 school day deadline, hearing notice, the panel, infant class size appeals and complaints. From GOV.UK.
• How much is the fine for taking a child out of school?School attendance fines in England: £80 or £160 per parent, the 2-fines-in-3-years limit, court penalties and term-time holidays. From GOV.UK.
• How much student finance can I get?Apply for student finance in England for 2026/27: Tuition Fee Loan up to £9,790, Maintenance Loan up to £14,135 and what you need. From GOV.UK.
• How much will I repay on my student loan?Student loan repayment thresholds for 2026/27 by plan: you repay 9% of income over the threshold, or 6% for Postgraduate Loans. From GOV.UK.
• What is an EHCP (education, health and care plan)?What an education, health and care plan is, who can ask for one, the 20-week timescale, personal budgets and how to appeal. From GOV.UK.
• What is SEN support?What SEN support is, the help schools give, how to ask a SENCO, and when to ask for an EHC needs assessment in England. From GOV.UK.
• What is the difference between a Plan 2 and Plan 5 student loan?Plan 2 vs Plan 5 student loans in 2026/27: who is on each, £29,385 and £25,000 thresholds, interest, write-off dates and worked examples. From GOV.UK.
• When can I leave school?School leaving age in the UK: usually around 16 in each nation, and why in England you must stay in education or training until 18. From GOV.UK.
• When do I apply for a school place?School admissions in England for September 2027: apply by 31 October 2026 for secondary and 15 January 2027 for primary. Offer days. From GOV.UK.