Post 16 compulsory education from 2013

TheBees

From next year, youngsters will have to stay in education until they are 17. My daughter will happily go into the school 6th Form to study A levels and others may choose to go to the local college etc.
The question I would like the answer to is this... At the moment our local authority provides a free bus pass for the 6 mile journey to and from school. Will this still be provided free next year? The school head teacher seems to think NOT.
I don't think that's very fair. If the government says they have to stay in education, surely transport should be paid for just as it has been up to now?
Tomorrow I will call the LA transport department to find out but wonder if the head teacher is correct and transport is not going to be free, who would I raise this with? I recall when my son went into 6th form the monthly cost of a bus pass was about £30 a month.
Other people's thoughts on this would be useful.
Thanks

Fire_Fox

I don't think there is a blanket insistence on staying in formal education and not full time either, I was under the impression that only applied IF they did not find employment/ training opportunity/ voluntary work? So there are other options.

The idea is to reduce/ eliminate the huge number of youngster who are NEET (not in employment, education or training). For those who choose to remain in formal education there are student bus and rail passes, all colleges have bursaries for those in hardship, if the child is still a dependent state benefits will remain available. Many youngsters could walk or cycle to school or college or training, many will have part time jobs themselves.

ETA there is even home education
"In 2008, a new law was passed that makes important changes for all young people in England. The new law is called the Education and Skills Act 2008. It says that by 2013, all young people in England have to stay on in education or training at least part-time until they are 17 years old. By 2015, all young people will have to stay on in education or training at least part-time, until they are 18 years old.

This means that young people are required to participate in education or training through either:

full-time education or training, including school, college and home education;
work-based learning, such as an Apprenticeship, or
part-time education or training or volunteering more than 20 hours a week.

It is important that you feel prepared and informed about this change and that you feel supported in making choices and achieving.

There are many options for you to choose from at 16.

You could stay at school and do your GSCEs and A levels. You could start an apprenticeship and get some experience of work and training. You could improve your skills through taking a course on Foundation Learning. You could gain some practical experience in a subject that interests you by doing a 14-19 diploma."
http://www.skill.org.uk/youth/page.aspx?c=309&p=430

Giraffeseeker

No one really knows how transport is going to work at any age at the moment - basically the LA has a duty to have a policy on this and does receive some government money but it is up to them whether they spend it on post or pre 16, or a combination. Post-16 most schools have a bursary scheme (replacing the old EMA) which is means tested and so that could be said to have to cover transport. Some academy schools provide transport out of their budget, depends how competitive it is to get kids in your area. Kids just have to be in some kind of training, whether that is a job with training, an apprenticeship, or A levels etc is up to the child/parents. The LA is the best first port of call but as policy is up in the air they may not have an answer for you at the moment. Best to budget for paying for transport, and then if you don't pay it is a bonus.

FatVonD

It could be worse, TheBees, you could live in London or the South east where Student Rail cards can't be used until 10am! I'll be paying adult fares for my son to go to college next year which has ruled out one of the colleges that runs the course he wants to do (fares would have been £200 per month :eek: ) Thank God he's been offered a place on the same course at our closest college (still £80 per month in fares.)

Fire_Fox

FatVonD wrote: »

It could be worse, TheBees, you could live in London or the South east where Student Rail cards can't be used until 10am! I'll be paying adult fares for my son to go to college next year which has ruled out one of the colleges that runs the course he wants to do (fares would have been £200 per month :eek: ) Thank God he's been offered a place on the same course at our closest college (still £80 per month in fares.)

Do you mean the third off national student railcards? Or do you mean the student travel cards issued locally which can be 50% off? The latter often have different rules.

bright_side

My concern with this is what happens if the children can't get on a course, don't get accepted for an apprenticeship and can't get a job that includes training? What then happens to the 'NEETS'?

FatVonD

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Do you mean the third off national student railcards? Or do you mean the student travel cards issued locally which can be 50% off? The latter often have different rules.

Ooh, I didn't know there was a difference, this is all new to me. I'm meaning the one I read about on the rail network's website. I had no idea there was another kind? Is this something that would come from the college itself? I'm all ears!

I was thinking of this one here:

http://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/buy-16-25-railcard/railcard-terms-conditions

FatVonD

Thanks, Firefox, I've found the one you were thinking of on the local council websit!

Dunroamin

bright_side wrote: »

My concern with this is what happens if the children can't get on a course, don't get accepted for an apprenticeship and can't get a job that includes training? What then happens to the 'NEETS'?

I have never known a young person not to be able to get on some kind of course - they just have to be flexible.

ladybez

Hi TheBees! with regard to bus passes and fares, unfortunately every area is different. I have just pruchased a "Uni-rider" for my 16year old to go to college, it was about £190 from Sept 2012 to end of June 2013. May be worth a look. hth

Fire_Fox

FatVonD wrote: »

Ooh, I didn't know there was a difference, this is all new to me. I'm meaning the one I read about on the rail network's website. I had no idea there was another kind? Is this something that would come from the college itself? I'm all ears!

I was thinking of this one here:

http://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/buy-16-25-railcard/railcard-terms-conditions

Thanks, Firefox, I've found the one you were thinking of on the local council websit!

Glad you found one - in my area you have to get proof from your college or university then go to the 'Travel Centre' in the station to get the discount pass IIRC. There was yet another arrangement for discount price bus passes on my local college website whereby you paid for one full term at a time - but that assumed you were in college full time. It is quite confusing having so many different systems - check out the college website, the council, the local bus/ rail company websites.

bright_side wrote: »

My concern with this is what happens if the children can't get on a course, don't get accepted for an apprenticeship and can't get a job that includes training? What then happens to the 'NEETS'?

Why wouldn't they get on a course of study even if it is repeating failed GCSEs? As stated in the link I quoted there is also voluntary work and home study - loads of options.