Who can get post16 travel

When a young person continues with education beyond the age of 16 (year 11) the Council has to consider how they will access that education.

The Council does not have to provide free or subsidised post-16 transport however we do provide some travel assistance if the young person:

Lives in Norfolk
Lives at least 3 miles from the sixth form or college (measured by the nearest walking route)
Is on a full-time course (at least 540 hours per year of supervised study - approximately 14 hours per week)
Is under 19 years of age on 1 September
Is studying a course of further education, not an HND, HNC or degree course
Travels on a core route, within a defined catchment area (see below)

When choosing a post 16 establishment you need to make sure you can get there by checking the travel options for college or sixth form section of our website. We do not provide travel assistance to wherever a young person wishes to go.

You should also you check the prices of local bus and train operators as they often offer cheaper travel than us and will offer extra benefits such as holiday and weekend use. If you can get transport cheaper without our support, we will refuse your application.

All travel assistance provided by NCC is subject to a financial contribution towards the cost.

What is a core route?

Core routes are based on high school catchment areas. You can find out which establishments are on a core route from where you live here:

Visit Where I Live to find out what school catchment area you live in.

The individual college and sixth form pages give more detailed information on transport options and core route areas.

You can also download the core routes map (PDF) [3MB] for further information to see if you would be entitled to travel assistance.

Transport will not be agreed to any alternative college, sixth form college, sixth form or other learning establishment, even if the qualification or course is not available at the designated core route establishment.

If a young person is eligible for travel assistance from the Council, we would normally issue a bus or train pass.

Apply for the post16 travel scheme

Students with special educational needs or disabilities

If students have a learning difficulty, disability or mobility issue that may prevent them from travelling by bus or train, they will need to be assessed by our Travel and Independence Training Team (TITAN).

Following this assessment:

If they are assessed as capable of travelling independently following appropriate training, they will be offered that training so they can travel by bus or train
If they are assessed as unable to travel independently, even with appropriate training, we'll then provide specialist transport.

We will provide travel assistance for students with special educational needs or disabilities if the young person:

Lives in Norfolk
Lives at least 3 miles from the sixth form or college (measured by the nearest walking route)
Is attending a full-time course (at least 540 hours per year of supervised study - approximately 14 hours per week)
Is under 19 years of age on 1 September, or under 25 years of age if they have a current EHCP
Travels on a core route, within a defined catchment area OR
Attends the nearest educational establishment to meet their needs, as named in their current EHCP

All travel assistance provided by NCC is subject to a financial contribution towards the cost.

For further details about SEND transport please visit our special educational needs transport section.

Find out more about SEND transport. (PDF) [582KB]

How to find out more information

For full details read the terms and conditions of the post16 travel scheme to make sure you qualify.

Download the Home to school and college transport policy (PDF) [332KB] for further information.

If you are unsure about whether transport is in place or whether the Council is aware transport is required please check your status by accessing track your application or call 0344 800 8020.

Raising the participation age to 18

In 2015 the Government increased the age at which young people must continue in education or training to 18.

However, although young people must now remain in education or training until they are 18 the government has not increased the age range of free transport available to eligible young people in line with this. Free transport is still only available to eligible children up to age 16 as this is still the statutory school leaving age.

For further information on raising the participation age please see the Department for Education website.