POST 16 STUDENT TRAVEL SCHEME
INFORMATION 2010/2011 ACADEMIC
YEAR
Introduction
Northumberland County Council provides free
student travel. This is available to full-time students attending
High School Sixth Forms and Further Education and Specialist
Colleges. Students are issued with a travel pass which allows them
to make a return journey to and from home to school/college during
normal school and college times; weekdays and term time only.
This information explains the responsibilities
of students, parents and Northumberland County Council and an
overview of the current Post 16 policy. It also explains how
to apply for the scheme and deadlines.
Current legislation encourages
students/parents to exercise choice; however this does not mean
that there will be an entitlement to transport to whichever
educational establishment you choose. If transport
entitlement affects your choice of place of study, you should read
this information carefully before you apply for a
place.
What are the
respective responsibilities
Northumberland County Council has no statutory
responsibility to provide transport support or assistance with
transport costs for students in post 16 education.
Responsibility for making appropriate transport arrangements rests
with students and student’s parents. There is however, a
discretionary policy that Northumberland County Council chooses to
exercise.
What
is the current Post 16 Transport policy
Northumberland County Council operates a free
student travel scheme to help students living in Northumberland who
are aged between 16 and 19 access further education opportunities
providing that the course is a full time course of at least 12
hours per week.
The scheme is available to full-time students
attending the nearest high/secondary school sixth form or college
of further education. Students studying foundation degrees,
on youth training, modern apprenticeships or work based learning
courses are not eligible.
How much does the travel pass cost
Providing the student meets the conditions
listed below, the travel pass is issued free of charge.There
is however a charge for replacement passes.
Who can receive
assistance
To qualify for assistance under the scheme
students must:
· Live in
Northumberland
· Be
attending a full-time course of study (a minimum of 12 hours per
week).
· Live 3
miles or more from the establishment of further education (see
policy for definition).
· Students
must be attending the nearest establishment of further education
offering their course of study, or one similar to it, and that
course is in line with educational or career progression.
· Students
are expected to study in the equivalent of Y12 and Y13 year groups
or be under the age of 19 at 31st August 2010. The
scheme will only apply to students of Y14 age if their course has
already begun in the academic year previous.
· Attend a
full-time course which is considered to be within reasonable daily
travelling distance (75 minutes each way).
What assistance will I get?
Northumberland County Council provides
transport in the most cost effective manner related to a student’s
journey.
A travel pass for bus services will normally
be issued, however taxis, trains, or parental/ student’s own
vehicles may be considered if they are the cheapest avialable
option. The decision on the transport allocation rests with
the Council.
Students are expected to make their own way to
the nearest main pick up point. Feeder transport may be provided
where necessary.
A student with special educational needs can
be provided with transport if they have a transport requirement
which is specified in the statement of special educational needs
and is supported by a referral from their Connexions Advisor
(further information is available at
http://www.connexions-northumberland.org.uk/choices/special/further/).
When can I apply
for transport support
Students are strongly advised to return their forms as soon as
possible to ensure that they are processed before the beginning of
the academic year. They may be submitted before exam results are
known, however students attending college must provide a
copy of their enrolment form with their application form (if you
are a college student and applying online, please send in your
enrolment form with the letter in the link below).
Post
16 Web Application Letter
If there is ANY change to the information on
the application form then you should contact the Integrated
Transport Unit at County Hall on 0845 600 6400 or by emailing
Post16Transport@northumberland.gov.uk.
Application
Timetable
- The scheme will open for applications in June 2010.
Students can apply for the transport provision for the year between
June and 30 September 2010. If you are eligible, you will be
allocated transport for three terms.
- Applications received after 30 September will be processed, but
students will not be allocated transport until Term 2 begins in
January, and will be allocated transport for the Spring and Summer
term only. There will be no reimbursement of costs in the
case of late applications.
- The scheme will close completely on 31 January. If the
student applies for transport on or before 31 January and they are
eligible for transport, we will arrange and fund transport for the
rest of the academic year. There will be no reimbursement of
costs in the case of late applications.
It is the aim of the Integrated Transport Unit
to have processed all eligible applications within 10 working days
of the receipt of a correctly completed application form.
Please note that during peak times (August and September)
the aim if the Integrated Transport Unit is to process eligible
applications within 15 working days. Students are
responsible for any fares incurred before the pass is issued up
until 10/15 working days (depending on when a student applies) have
elapsed from the date the form is received by Northumberland County
Council.
Appeals
If you are refused free transport you will be
sent a letter advising you of the reason for the refusal.
If you do not agree with the reason for
refusal because you believe your personal circumstances have not
been considered you can write a letter outlining your case (in as
much detail as possible) to the School Organisation Manager, County
Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF within 10 working
days of the reciept of the refusal letter date.
If you still disagree with the Local Authority
decision you may appeal to an independent panel.
How are distances determined
Distance measurements will be undertaken using
Northumberland County Council’s computerised Geographical
Information System (GIS) and will be taken from the entrance to a
students home address (e.g. front gate) to the nearest entrance on
the school/college site which is available to students at the time
of undertaking the assessment. The route used will be the
shortest, safest and most suitable walking route as identified by
GIS at that time. In order to ensure consistency and fairness
the distance criteria is strictly adhered to.
What happens if I move house
The normal policy applies exept for students
who move out of the catchment area of their school after they have
started a sixth form course. If the new address is more then
3 miles from the school/college, assistance is given to enable the
student to complete their course. If the student has not been
attending the catchment area school, they would not normally
receive assistance.
You must inform us of your change of address
immediately. If we send a travel pass or other correspondance
to the wrong address because you have not informed us of any
change, then we will not replace the travel pass.
Further
Information & How to Apply
How can I apply?
There are 3 ways to apply for the scheme:
- Online by clicking on the following link:
http://forms.northumberland.gov.uk/AF3/an/default.aspx/RenderForm/?F.Name=GacLSRQ6eFa
- By post by requesting an application pack from us.
- College students can get application packs from Student Support
at the college.
For further information about this scheme, or to request an
application form, please contact the Integrated Transport Unit, on
0845 600 6400 or email
Post16Transport@northumberland.gov.uk.
Alternatively you can write to Transport Network Team,
Integrated Transport Unit, Community & Environmental Services
Directorate, County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2EF.