A levels

[Chloe O'brien]

We have a number or students with different disabilities and mobility issues who come to college from all over the city. Some travel 15 miles. They are brought to and from college by taxi.

[Kim]

I go to school by taxi at the moment, but there are several problems with it. My parents will have to pay around £296 (termly or yearly; not sure) to get me in the taxi, and that's only allowed if there aren't children of the compulsory schooling age don't fill up the taxi, which could mean that I don't get in the taxi to begin with or end up being removed from it at any time. I may as well not have the frees either because the taxi only runs at school hours when there are other children in there (the two at the moment are 5 and 6 so I'll be at university before they're out of the taxi.) I want to get out of the taxi so badly at the moment though.

Mum says I shouldn't bother with the college (It'll cost me like £5 a day in busses, it's bigger and I can't get my first choice options.)

There is another school but the Business department has a bad reputation and that's what I want to take.

[Layne]

I applied to college and sixth form because i didn't know whether i wanted to do a performing BTEC or my A levels.
I got accepted to both, but i decided to stay on at school and do my A levels.

Kim, could you not speak to the colleges/sixth form/local council and see if you can get discounts on transport. Our local county council susidise the bus passes by £100, so it may be worth inquiring ?!

[Abbie]

Yeah even though I dont live that far away I got a public bus pass and then keeping my attendance above a certain amount I so much money back after each term

[Chloe O'brien]

I go to school by taxi at the moment, but there are several problems with it. My parents will have to pay around £296 (termly or yearly; not sure) to get me in the taxi, and that's only allowed if there aren't children of the compulsory schooling age don't fill up the taxi, which could mean that I don't get in the taxi to begin with or end up being removed from it at any time. I may as well not have the frees either because the taxi only runs at school hours when there are other children in there (the two at the moment are 5 and 6 so I'll be at university before they're out of the taxi.) I want to get out of the taxi so badly at the moment though.

Mum says I shouldn't bother with the college (It'll cost me like £5 a day in busses, it's bigger and I can't get my first choice options.)

There is another school but the Business department has a bad reputation and that's what I want to take.

Have you contacted the student support at the college or the social services at your local council as the students who attend the college where I work don't pay anything as it is covered by the social work department and they get a taxi to themselves or maybe two sharing depending which area they are going to. I would contact the Student advice or student services for help Kim.

[Kim]

Thanks everyone, I'll definitely be looking into that. I'll see what is offered with the student bus pass in my area as I'd much rather get a bus to the taxi I get now if I'd have to get the same taxi as I get now to Sixth Form.

I know I definitely want to do A Levels so I'll stick with my school unless there's an easier solution to transport going to another school, as I should be able to get all of my first choice options. I'll see what happens when the blocks are out in a few months.

Layne, are the busses subsidised by £100 a term in your area, or is that over the whole year?

[Abi]

If its not that many miles away, then can't you walk? My 6th form (And school for the 5 years previously) is 2 miles away, and i've always walked. 4 Miles a day does you good

[Chloe O'brien]

I'm not sure if things are different because of your disabilty, but up here in Edinburgh the council will not provide a child or teenage with a free bus pass if they live less than 3 miles from a school as they are supposed to go to the district school. If a parent decides to send their child outwith the district school they have to pay the bus pass that is why I have to pay £24 a month for Marley. If a child has to go to a school over 3 miles because of their disabilty then the council give them a free bus pass if they are able to travel by themselves otherwise they are taken to school by minibus or taxi, again the council or social work department pay the costs.

[DaVeyWaVey]

If its not that many miles away, then can't you walk? My 6th form (And school for the 5 years previously) is 2 miles away, and i've always walked. 4 Miles a day does you good

This is what I do - it's definetly something worth considering, as it keeps you fit.

[Layne]

Layne, are the busses subsidised by £100 a term in your area, or is that over the whole year?

I think its over the whole year, i didn't buy one though Too much money, considering i live like 2 miles away!