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. This is the post-16 Transport Policy Statement for 2024 and 2025.
This policy statement uses the terms:
- ‘post-16’ to include all students in education aged 16 to 25, including those of ‘sixth form age’ and those ‘post-19’
- ‘sixth form age’ refers to young people over 16 but under 19 years old, or students who started their programme of learning before their nineteenth birthday (years 12, 13 and14)
- ‘post-19’ refers to young people who remain in education beyond sixth form age, up to an age of 25, (years 15 and above)
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 are now required to 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 consequently 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.
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.