Councils & school transport

misterthrifty

I hope this is the right thread. Does anybody have experience of dealing with local authorities failing to provide school transport?

My son was hoping to continue at the grammar school where he has taken his GCSE's and go into the 6th form. The local authority say they will not provide free or subsidised transport (although they did for his previous year) as he has to go to the nearest 'appropriate' school. The cost will be substantial and, as I am on benefit, I can't afford this. He would have to move from a very highly rated school, where he earned his place on merit, and his education may suffer.

Does anybody know if I have a case to argue?

Mr T

looby75

You can appeal, and from memory if they have been providing it in the past they have to continue until the child leaves the school. I'm not at home at the moment so I don't have any of my bookmarks on this computer, but unless someone else comes up with some links I'll post them asap for you.

Good luck.

chugalug

Don't forget he can claim EMA based on your income which would give him up to £30 pw plus bonuses. This should help in the meantime.

silvercar

Evveryone in my area who is entitled to free transport loses that right once the child is above compulsary school age. In my area I think you can apply for a subsidised place on the school coaches if there are spaces that would not otherwise be filled. I know penty sixth formers who now have to either pay £200 per term or not use the coaches. The problem is also that sixth form timetables often give free lessons where the children can study at home so they may not use the school buses and need fare money.

The only other option is to look at general public transport discounts for those still at school - that should give him half fair. How far is school? Could he cycle or use public transport.

If you are in London, Ken Livingstone is extending the free buses to include children upto 18 still in education.

misterthrifty

Thanks for the replies.

looby75, any information appreciated!

chugalug, yes, we have applied for EMA which would help a bit but not enough and not what it's really for.....give with one hand/take with the other.

silvercar, the council here, Warwickshire seem to change the rules when going to 6th form too. Subsidised tickets cost £200 pa but only if you are entitled to one. After that it means paying the council full price, if seats are available or paying full adult price for public transport as they don't subsidise them because the council have their own transport scheme. The school is 15 miles away so there are few other options.

I don't understand why the council pays a grammar school, which takes the top pupils in the county, and then fails to support it with transport. Result.....only parents who live close to the school or are wealthy send their kids....elitist or what?

Any more advice appreciated so I can appeal against the decision.

Mr T

silvercar

I don't understand why the council pays a grammar school, which takes the top pupils in the county, and then fails to support it with transport.

I'm guessing the school is massively oversubscribed, they don't have to worry about people not being able to afford to go there, they know there won't be any empty seats.

People come from far and wide to go to my eldest's grammer school. The fact that lots of pupils have high transport costs means that the school attracts thos that are prepared to pay for it; ensuring a high percentage of children come from families committed to spending on their children's education.
in a way you have been lucky, Hertfordshire refuses to pay for transport to grammer schools if you live within 3 miles of any other school you could attend. I had to pay bus fares for 4 years before Ken Livingstone introduced free buses for kids.

janeawej

ASk them for a consesionary ride on the school bus you pay a small proportion less than a £1 i think a day towards this, also ask if there are any taxis with places on going to a nearby or that school as a grammar school it is unlikely taxis will be taking SEN children but may take a child with a physical disability again a consessionay ride is what u want, I am afraid they will be counting this as parental choice to send him to a school outside your area, or maybe a transport share with someone else ? good luck

silvercar

I wonder if your council provide transport for anyone over school leaving age? If not it is going to be difficult to prove a case.

conradmum

What subjects will your son be studying?
I had this problem when I was at school. My parents had moved out of the area and I was supposed to go to the sixth form of a local school rather than the one all my friends were going to. The council refused to pay transport costs. Completely by chance, however, I'd chosen to study an A' level that wasn't on offer at any of the schools that were local to me, so the council agreed to pay the transport costs in the end.
Worth a try.

piggeh

I think this page may help if you havent seen it

http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/Web/corporate/pages.nsf/Links/3D8C224B5B18BE3C80256A9D004F13F4

Penny-Pincher!!

The school in question should have a hardship fund for this purpose. Councils will not normally pay travel costs once a child has completed their GCSE's as sixth form is not compulsory and is down to choice.

Personally, I do think this is unfair, but I doubt very much that you will receive any help through your local council and think the hardship fund at the school would be your best bet.

We are on benefits and DD starts grammar school September and because itsnot the local grammar we have to pay for travel costs and Im disabled, so is DD and my hubby is our carer. Obviously we wanted her to go to the best school so are willing to cut back in other areas. The school she is attending wanted a percentage above what the 11+ pass score was and is very difficult to get into.

What about public transport? Is there any of his friends who he can get a lift with? Buses can be quite cheap and will still get a reduced fare as he is under 18 in FT education.

I would be surprised if you do receive any help, but if you dont ask you dont get! My DD is disabled and we would not get any help.

Good Luck

PP
xx