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 31^st 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:

1. Online by clicking on the following link:

http://forms.northumberland.gov.uk/AF3/an/default.aspx/RenderForm/?F.Name=GacLSRQ6eFa

1. By post by requesting an application pack from us.
2. 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.