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Hope Valley Pathways

Hope Valley Pathways is a Post 16 provision for students with specific learning needs and abilities.

We have a person-centred approach to the education of our youngsters and our aim is to encourage learning, opportunity and independence. We aim to produce a curriculum that is tailored to the needs of each individual student and moves them towards the next stage of their life. This could mean that we help them onto further education, to engage with supported education or to make steps towards independent living.

We look to help our students to develop the key skills within our curriculum with a clear focus on functional literacy, numeracy and ICT skills. All students have the opportunity to take up extended work experience placements and we have close links with local colleges which are students are able to access.

Within Hope Valley Pathways we foster an atmosphere of mutual support which we believe helps to bring out the best of the learning opportunities. We are passionate about the work we do with students and are ambitious for them, encouraging them to set themselves high standards.

You can find out more about joining Hope Valley Pathways here.

Financial Support 

The 16 to 19 bursary fund provides financial support to help students overcome specific barriers to participation so they can remain in education.

There are 2 types of 16 to 19 bursaries:

  • Bursaries for defined vulnerable groups of up to £1,200 a year.
  • Discretionary bursaries which Hope Valley Pathways can award to meet individual needs, for example, help with the cost of transport, meals, books and equipment.

The Department for Education is very clear that the bursary fund is intended to help students with the essential costs of participating in their study programme. This might include:

  • Travel to and from school or placements.
  • Meals – to the value of a free school meal unless already eligible for free school meals.
  • Essential materials including stationery and educational resources.
  • Textbooks – will be purchased directly by the school.
  • Technological devices for learning – will be purchased directly by the school.
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, for young people as required.
  • Travel and associated expenses for university open day visits – for students only.
  • Course related activities and visits.
  • Professional membership fees where these relate directly to the course.
  • Sport activities where these relate directly to the course.
  • Specialist clothing, where this is a course requirement.

Further information, including eligibility criteria and the 16-19 bursary application form can be found here:

Hope Valley College: 16-19 Bursary Procedure

If you have any questions about the bursary, eligibility or uploading evidence, please contact Hope Valley Pathways at pathways@hopevalley.chorustrust.org