Charging for transport to consortium schools

[tapdancingmum]

My DD1 (16) wants to do dance A level and always knew that she would have to travel to another school to do it. I asked headteacher and head of 6th form that transport would be arranged for her and they both replied that it would. She has just received her conditional letter of acceptance and in the letter it says that the cost of transport would be £6 a week or £200 a year (this is to use the school minibus afaik) to get her to and from the other school. I don't mind per se but never at any time had it been mentioned to me when I spoke to the heads and after speaking to a friend who works there it seems to be a new thing this year. I'm just a bit miffed as her bus pass will go up to over £800 for 6th form so along with DD2's £380 quid I had already said that I would take them to school from now on.

Is this a common thing to be charged to carry out your studies at another school as yours don't offer the course?

Also, the consortium school has just been placed into special measures. Should I be concerned about her going there for this one subject?

[exoticfruits]

Since mine had to pay to use school transport in the 6th form when it was their catchment area school I am not at all surprised. Does she need a dance A'level? Why not do other subjects that are offered and do dance classes outside school- it doesn't sound a very useful A'level subject to me.