Finance, Bursaries and Paying for Items
We operate a cashless payment system at WMG Academy for Young Engineers called ParentPay, which is a secure website offering the freedom to make payments whenever and wherever you like, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
ParentPay is the only means of payment as cash or cheques are not accepted in the academy. Payment for school lunches and other items such as trips, revision guides etc., should be made through ParentPay.
However, cash payments for school meals can also be made using a PayPoint Card at local stores displaying the Pay Point logo, which can be ordered from the academy.
Payment in the canteen is cashless and usually relies on the use of thumbprint technology which links the purchase to the student’s parent pay account. It is anticipated that contactless payment using bank cards will be available from September.
How does ParentPay help you?
- Gives you the freedom to make payments to school whenever and wherever you like
- Gives you peace of mind that your payment has been made safely and securely
- Helps with budgeting; payments are immediate
- Payments for many of the larger trips can be made by instalments up to the due date
- You will never need to miss a payment, or have insufficient credit, with automated email/SMS alerts.
Refund procedure for returned lunch money via ParentPay
Generally, refunds will not be made.
Parents are expected to maintain and wind down account balances if a child is leaving a school. At the end of each academic term, the credit for meals will be “rolled over” to the next term. Requests for refunds will be considered at the end of each academic year where students are leaving the school and accounts have an outstanding credit balance of £5.00 or more.
Refunds would also be made when a child moves to a new school.
Refund procedure for other payment items
Where a payment is made in ParentPay by mistake, or a duplicate payment is made, a refund will be made directly to the ParentPay account upon request.
Personal property
Students in our more mature, 13-19 academy are responsible for their own property. It is important that expensive items or large sums of money are not brought into the academy. Expensive items such as bikes and electronic devices should ideally be insured separately by parents or students prior to being brought on site.
The academy is not liable for any loss or damage to personal property and academy staff do not have the time or resources to investigate or provide refunds for such occurrences. Wireless headphones have presented a particular recent concern. These items can be easily lost or misplaced and have no educational value in the academy and should be left at home.
Please be aware that no items of personal property are covered under the academy’s insurance policy. Costs resulting from theft, loss or damage will not be reimbursed by the academy and students are asked to leave expensive items at home.
Student lockers
Lockers are available for all students, the allocated locker key will be given to them in September. Students and parents are required to sign the Locker Protocol Agreement prior to a locker being issued.
Lockers are essential, as we expect every student to attend their lessons prepared to learn. In order to achieve this, it is expected that every student will use their locker to safely store any items that they do not need for their lesson. Students will not be allowed to enter the classroom with personal belongings that they do not need for the lesson that could cause a distraction. Students are expected, therefore, to store items not required in their lockers before they enter their learning space. If a locker key is lost the student will be charged £5 for a replacement key.,
Cycling to the academy
Students are encouraged to cycle to the academy as a great way of keeping fit and staying healthy. Bikes can be stored securely in the bike store (outside) at the back of the academy but should be locked to a bike stand with a substantial ‘D type’ lock.
Cyclists should wear a helmet when cycling to and from the academy and are advised that bikes need to be insured by students/parents/carers and will not be covered by academy insurance policies.
Electric scooters are not permitted to be ridden to or from the academy in line with other Solihull schools, WM Police advice and the fact that they are currently illegal on either the road or pavement.
Damage to academy property
If a student deliberately causes damage to the academy’s property, including premises, furniture, equipment, books or materials, a charge will be levied to cover the cost of repairs or replacement. Students’ personal belongings are brought on to site at the owners own risk.
In the case of accidental damage, the Principal will consider the circumstances reported and decide as to the level of recovery. Thankfully, such occurrences are very rare.
16-19 Bursary Fund
The 16-19 Bursary Funds are paid by the Education & Schools Funding Agency (ESFA) to Schools and Colleges so that they may provide financial help to students whose access to, or completion of, education might be inhibited by limited financial resources. If you think you are eligible for a 16-19 Bursary, please make an application:
- WMG Academy Sixth Form Bursary – click here to apply
- For further information regarding view the 16-19 Bursary Fund Policy here
- If you have any questions related to the bursary, please email [email protected]