The Council is continuing to work with families, the Department for Education and other partners agencies to seek sustainable funding arrangements for our young people who leave the Isles of Scilly to access post-16 education.
The post-16 grant received for the 2024/25 academic year has now been reconciled. This grant was based on the number of students who were identified as requiring support, but as fewer students accessed the support than was expected some of the funding was classed as an underspend.
Under the Department for Education’s grant conditions, and despite representations from senior officers, the Council was not permitted to retain or redirect this funding. Therefore, there was no option but to return the identified underspend to the Department.
The Council is in conversation with the Department for Education to continue to raise the unique circumstances faced by island families and secure increased and more flexible funding. This includes the costs of accommodation, travel, hosting arrangements and the additional support young people need when living away from home.
We are extremely disappointed that despite meeting with the minister and providing all of the information requested by the department, that there will no additional funding for the academic year 2026/27 and that the earliest that any changes will be considered is 2027/28.
The Council is committed to continuing to raise our concern with the Department for Education and our Member of Parliament.
Post-16 Parents' Forum
Families are invited to attend the next Post-16 Parents’ Forum on:
Wednesday 12 August 2026 at 5.15pm
The meeting will provide an opportunity to hear the latest position, ask questions and contribute to the Council’s ongoing work on post-16 support.