This transport policy statement is for:
- students aged 16 to 19 in further education
- continuing students aged 19 and over
- young adult learners aged 19 and over in further education with an EHCP
Academic Year 2023 to 2024
We have a duty to prepare and publish an annual transport policy statement specifying the arrangements for the provision of transport or other support. These arrangement are what we consider necessary to facilitate the attendance of all persons of sixth form age and upwards receiving education or training.
We would like as many young people as possible to be able to travel independently to and from their education provision. Travelling independently develops key life skills and leads to increased educational, social and employment opportunities in adulthood, as well as improving health outcomes and contributing to sustainable travel in the city.
Under 19 years of age
There is no automatic entitlement to free or subsidised home to school or college transport once a student is over 16 and beyond statutory school age. Young people must be in education, employment or training until their eighteenth birthday, which could involve:
- mixing full time work with study
- an apprenticeship
- continuing full time in school or college
- combining part time training with volunteering
There has not, however, been any change to the compulsory school age and so there is no extension to the entitlement to free transport beyond the end of a secondary education.
All young people carrying on their education post-16 must reapply for travel support annually as long as support is needed. ‘Sixth form age’ refers to those young people who are over 16 years of age but under 19 or continuing learners who started their programme of learning before their nineteenth birthday (years 12,13,14).
Over 19 years of age with an Education Health and Care Plan
Local authorities also have a duty to encourage, enable and aid young people with learning difficulties and disabilities to participate in education and training up to the age of 25 where this is agreed to be appropriate. The adult duty applies only to young people who are attending a course which they started after their nineteenth birthday. Where the local authority makes such arrangements, any transport supplied must be free of charge.
This policy uses the term ‘Post-16’ to include both learners of sixth form age and those with learning difficulties and disabilities up to the age of 25.
Also see
Children and Young People Transport Team
Telephone: 01904 551554 (option 1)