Student Zone Frequent Q&A

THIS SECTION SHOULD GIVE YOU SOME USEFUL TIPS AND BACKGROUND ON EXCELLENCE EAST EVENTS.  PLEASE USE THE ENQUIRY FORM ON THIS WEBSITE TO SEND US ANY OTHER QUERIES.  WE CAN USE THEM TO ADD TO THIS PAGE OVER THE COMING MONTHS SO YOU SHOULD CHECK BACK REGULARLY FOR NEW INFORMATION!

Do I need the application form signed by my school/teacher?
Yes, your school must support your application and, if the event is taking place during school hours, agree to you being away from lessons for the event. 

Must a school nominate me for an event?
No, you can find out about events on our website and then approach your school to request support if there is an event you would like to attend. 

Do I need to send any payment with the application form?
Yes you should send us your payment with your application form, but your cheque will not be banked until you have been allocated a place.  The reason we ask this is to speed up our administration and to allow us to accept applications as near to the closing dates as possible.

What happens to the cheque if I'm not allocated a place?
If you don't indicate that you would like the cheque returned in the post to you, we guarantee it will be destroyed/shredded on our premises.  To notify us that you would like the cheque returned there is a question and tickbox at the top of page 3 of the application form.  

I have access to the Internet and I have an email address but I can't print off the application form. Can it be posted to me?
Yes, if you have access to email then send one to the email address at the bottom of the application form of the event you are interested in and we can pop it in the post to you.  Please make sure you allow enough time for the form to be posted back to us by the cut off date.

I have access to the Internet but can't use email or print off forms, what can I do?
If you click on the Contact Us page you will see a listing on the left for General Enquiry Form.  Open this and send us your name, contact telephone and postal details in the enquiry box along with informaton about the event you are interested in, and we will post the documents out to you.

Why do you have to register an interest in an event online but at the same time still have to download, complete and post an application form?
There are a number of different reasons for this.  The information requested online speeds up our administration and it also gives us a second reference point if a handwritten form has a mistake in a phone number, an email address, etc.    Another advantage is it allows us to track the likely number of applications we can expect to receive by a close date and plan accordingly.  Finally we do require for legal reasons that certain statements be signed off with an original signature and retained on our files.

I've registered an interest in an event before the cut off, does it matter then if the form doesn't get to you by the close date?
Even if you register an interest you must still make sure the form arrives to us by the close date to be eligible for consideration. 

If you post the form in time but it doesn't arrive by the close date, is this taken into account?
Excellence East accepts forms which are postmarked at least the day before a closing date, even if they are delayed in the post.  We do not accept forms that are postdated on the day of closing or later. 

If I fax you a form by the close date should I still also post it?
Yes, you still need to post the form as we need original authorisation signatures to retain on our files.  Also we have had instances where faxes have transmitted very unclearly and have been difficult to read. 

If I fax the form by the close date but it isn't posted to arrive on time, will the fax confirmation be accepted as making the cut off date?
If you fax us the application form, please also send in the original by post as soon as possible along with a copy of the fax transmission confirmation slip attached to the front clearly showing the date and time of sending.   We will allow three working days for the original form to arrive after the closing date once you have attached a fax confirmation slip to the front of the application form.

Must the form be completed by me personally?
Yes, if you are applying for an event and you are capable of doing so you should complete the form yourself.  Personal statements in or attached to the form should be in your own handwriting and using your own words.  Demand for Excellence East events is high and it shows motivation and keen interest if a student takes the time to make this effort. An adult should not complete the form on your behalf and/or compose any personal statements for you.

There are cognitive problems/specific reasons why I can't complete the form myself in my own handwriting, what can I do?
In certain circumstances the form can be completed on your behalf but you need to ask your school to verify in writing the reason why you are unable to do so.  Also if there is any written activity planned as part of an event we would need to know this information anyway to ensure you have your support needs taken care of.

How will I find out if I've been allocated a place?
Our primary source of communication will be by email both to your email address (if you have one) and your parent(s)/carer(s) email address(es).  If you have been allocated a place, we will ask you if you wish to accept the place and request the event payment, if any, to be sent to the address in the email.  Once we receive this we will post out to you all the information you will need for getting to and from the event. If you are unsuccessful we will also let you know by email.

Are payments refundable if I have to cancel?
Excellence East will endeavour to fill your place with another applicant if there is sufficient time to arrange this.  Once we have reallocated your place we will arrange a refund. If you don't show on the day of an event, or cancel at very short notice, then payments are not refundable.  Overall though Excellence East will do its best to try to give your place to another candidate and return your fee if at all possible. 

Why are certain events more expensive than others?
It depends on many factors.  We may have arranged coach transport for instance, or we may have a practical in a laboratory as part of the event, or the Excellence East office may have to incurr other charges for students on the day.  Therefore to keep costs as low as possible we usually ask students to bring their own drinks and packed lunch, as any lunch provided on the day would need to be passed on to you in the event charge.  We also may organise an event at a location where prepared food is not available or where certain dietary requirements can't be met or guaranteed.  

What will I need to bring to an event?
As every event is different we will include a list in the event pack you will be sent once you have accepted a place.

What financial assistance is available for students who come from more disadvantaged backgrounds?
Every event will always have a minimum of 10% free places for students who are eligible for free school meals and in addition a minimum of a further 30% of places at half price for students whose total household income is below a certain level. You can find more details about financial assistance for places at the back of each application form.