Post-16 Transport Policy Statement 2022/23

Students are now required to be in education, employment or training until their 18th birthday, which could involve mixing full-time work with study, following an apprenticeship, continuing full time in school or college, or combining part-time training with volunteering. There has not, however, been any change to statutory school age which ends at the end of the academic year in which the student turns 16.

Under the current law, there is no automatic entitlement to free transport from home to school or to another educational setting once a student is 16 and over. However, the Council is required to facilitate the attendance of all those of sixth form age i.e. those students in school years 12 to 14 who started their programme of learning before their 19th birthday. This may involve travel assistance but the Council does not have to provide this assistance free of charge. Responsibility for attendance lies with the student and their parents/carers.

Where a student with SEND starts a new course at aged 19 or older, any transport assistance is Council funded, as they are Adult Learners.