Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To be OUTRAGED at the cost of this school transport?

209 replies

FidgetyFingers · 21/08/2018 21:26

DS attends a Special School which requires him to use a LA provided school bus as it is too far for him to reach alone (SEN and 3 mile distance ) and he cannot be dropped off due to logistics (other DC need to be in a different place at same time, only have one car which is needed for DH to work).

Up until age 16 it is provided free but as 16-18 years apparently don't legally have to continue in education, the LA will not provide free transport so expect us to pay a 'contribution' of £25 per week! If I can't magic up £300 for the first term in advance, he won't be picked up! This is on top of all the normal back to school outgoings.

Considering a weekly unlimited bus ticket is £10 a week if he was going to college like his brother, AIBU to think this is extortionate?

I asked the LA to explain how they expect parents of SN children to have a greater income just because they have turned 16 and they couldn't explain other than to state 'policy'.

OP posts:
RainySeptember · 21/08/2018 22:28

OP I know you haven't asked for travel solutions but if everyone in your child's year will be faced with this, might some of you pull together to car share or organise a taxi or take it in turns to transport the kids?

toomanychilder · 21/08/2018 22:29

No, its not extortionate. You're still only having to pay a portion of the actual cost, after getting it free for many many years.

RainySeptember · 21/08/2018 22:29

Nicpem, I would think the answer is 'no' regarding the consultation, what with having several school-age dc including at least one with additional needs profound enough to warrant attendance at a special school.

RainySeptember · 21/08/2018 22:30

"No, its not extortionate. You're still only having to pay a portion of the actual cost, after getting it free for many many years."

Maybe more than 2-3 weeks notice would have softened the blow and cost them
nothing.

Nicpem1982 · 21/08/2018 22:32

It is usual that policy change don't take effect until the next academic year also there is a legal obligation for Las to publicise a post 16 policy in May each year I cant see how the op didn't know this was coming

Knittedfairies · 21/08/2018 22:33

If this policy was around when my son was at school, sharing lifts/taxis would not have been feasible. There is only one special school in this area of the county, so the catchment is wide and students widespread. Many of the children would require an escort as well as a driver, to deal with any behavioural incidents or medical needs.

You have my sympathy OP. That stinks.

toomanychilder · 21/08/2018 22:33

Maybe more than 2-3 weeks notice would have softened the blow and cost themnothing

I agree, but OP is outraged at the cost, not at the notice.

Clairetree1 · 21/08/2018 22:33

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

butterflysugarbaby · 21/08/2018 22:35

Wow that IS a lot.

No advice sorry OP. Just sympathy.

Hope you find a way round it.

Original poster
FidgetyFingers · 21/08/2018 22:36

Nope, no instalments. They want the full term up front. £300 or he won't be collected cricketShock.

Makes you wonder if they actually want SN DC to attend school at all after age 16Hmm. Not that they need more time of course already being massive disadvantaged.

Even on an income of up to £16k (we are 25 miles outside London so an income well below living costs) you still have to pay £450 a year.

Yes Knitted DS is certainly able to walk 3 miles but may not get there alive or could end up on the other side of town and may not think to call us.

OP posts:
Clairetree1 · 21/08/2018 22:36

and you do need to look into what students get free trnsport in the sixth form, some SEND students do, it might depend on the course. We have students who are entitled to free transport part of the week whilst doing one part tie course, and not the other part of the week studying other subjects...

Knittedfairies · 21/08/2018 22:37

Knitted - we have no idea what sen this young person has there is a massive range and with that comes a massive range of capabilities

@Nicpem1982 - you’re quite right; my apologies. My response was built entirely upon my own experience.

Sockwomble · 21/08/2018 22:38

"No, its not extortionate. You're still only having to pay a portion of the actual cost, after getting it free for many many years."

Yes wasn't she lucky and should be so very very grateful.

RainySeptember · 21/08/2018 22:40

" I cant see how the op didn't know this was coming."

She must be making it up then. Or guess they didn't publicise it as widely as they should.

toomanychilder · 21/08/2018 22:40

Well yeah, actually, a little bit. Wouldn't you be?

Ionacat · 21/08/2018 22:40

It is rubbish and as education is mandatory then there should be free transport if you are not getting paid as an apprentice or in a job. I know having taught in a 11-16 school where there was no post 16 provision in the town meant that continuing simply wasn’t an option for some pupils as their parents couldn’t afford it. Our local college offers financial assistance for travel but it depend on how many applicants there are to how much help they can give. So essentially in that town you can only do further education if you can pay and then OfSTED ask why there are so many NEETs.......

However OP it is worth contacting the college and seeing what help they can offer you. Our college has a bursury fund which prioritises those with an EHCP (and LAC) so you may well be able to get some help. (It does try and cover all costs where possible but depends on number of applications.)

FidgetyFingers · 21/08/2018 22:43

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

butterflysugarbaby · 21/08/2018 22:44

Why do people assume that just because the OP has got it for free for 16 years, that she should just 'suck it up' and pay the £300 a month for her son's transport?!

It's like people who have 3 or 4 hundred pounds tax credit a month for their kids(s) and it stops when they hit 18. They know it's coming, but it's still hard.

@FidgetyFingers have you asked the college about bursaries? If you are on a low-ish income, they may be able to help, or push you in the direction of someone who can!

Good luck. Smile

toomanychilder · 21/08/2018 22:44

Ah ok that does change the picture somewhat. They really should have told you, but I imagine there just isn't the budget for it, its not just people being mean for fun?

toomanychilder · 21/08/2018 22:45

Why do people assume that just because the OP has got it for free for 16 years, that she should just 'suck it up' and pay the £300 a month for her son's transport?!

Because if that is how it works, that is how it works. What else are you going to do if they aren't going to pay for it?

GlisteningRipeElderberries · 21/08/2018 22:47

I paid £500 a year for one child at sixth form, their choice to go there, where bus to local sixth form for other child was luckily free. And I thought that was a hideous amount, and regretted letting them change schools for sixth form ( due to that cost)

Original poster
FidgetyFingers · 21/08/2018 22:47

And no, I'm not fucking lucky to have born a child with a fucking disability, through no fault of his or my own, which will mean he will never live a fucking normal life. Sheesh!

GF No. 2 joins thread.

OP posts:
Knittedfairies · 21/08/2018 22:47

@FidgetyFingers when my son hit 16 he was able claim benefits in his own right (obviously I was form-filler in chief). Have you explored that?

GlisteningRipeElderberries · 21/08/2018 22:48

I only think it gets worse as they go to uni, and you have to pay for so much for them, all the time ( no signing on in the holidays like I could, although I only did this one year, and worked other years thankfully)

Original poster
FidgetyFingers · 21/08/2018 22:49

I have had nothing free for 16 years.

I'm career free though. That ended when he started school.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread