Cost of post 16 school transport. Is it legal?

[VivaLeBeaver]

I live in a rural area and the nearest secondary schools are nearly ten miles away.

School buses pick up the village kids but in sixth form there's a charge of £400 a year for this. The argument was always that kids don't have to stay on after Year 11 so if they choose to then they must pay for the bus.

My argument is that now it is compulsory to continue some form of education or training then there is no difference in whether you're in sixth form or Year 11.

Is it worth challenging this cost? The cost is currently subsidised and the council are thinking of removing the subsidy so God knows how much it will cost then.

they've stopped payments to help young people stay in education post 16

No they haven't. They abolished EMA which paid out to 45% of students and replaced it with a bursary scheme aimed at those most in need. So they are paying out less to help young people stay in education but it is wrong to say they stopped payments completely.

they don't qualify for minimum wage legislation

Yes they do. They get a lower rate - currently £3.79 per hour unless they are on an apprenticeship in which case it is only £2.73 per hour.

Just to be clear:

• Sixth form students have never been entitled to free transport. It used to be the case that around 45% of them received EMA. A smaller number now receive bursaries.

• Apprentices have never been entitled to free transport.

• Young people in work have never been entitled to free transport.

• The only real effect of the legislation is that any young person who goes into work needs to undertake some appropriate training. For apprentices and those choosing to stay at school the situation is unaltered.