Post 16 Transport Policy 2025 to 2026

2.1 Criteria for additional support

Young people aged between 16 to 18 and fulfilling the criteria set out in Section 3 may also be provided with additional support when:

• a professional assessment clearly indicates that a young person would not be able to access existing public transport routes to a place of learning because of their SEN or disability, and meet the qualifying criteria
• a young person is within the 3 mile distance criteria of a school but a professional assessment clearly indicates that a young person would not be able to access to their place of learning because of their SEND or disability

2.2 Supplementary information

Types of assistance that may be provided are:

• Personal Travel Budgets (PTB's)
• Contract Bus/Council Fleet
• Mini Bus
• Taxi
• vehicle used by other Council directorates
• fuel contribution, if it is shown to be a cost effective solution (Families should be prepared to use their own vehicle where there are no suitable or appropriate alternative arrangements in place). The rate paid to families, is for the shortest available driven route only (45p per mile x return journey/s). There is an additional allowance of 10p per mile for those with EHCP’s.

2.3 The terms and conditions

Provision of dedicated transport is subject to the following conditions:

• assisted transport will only be provided for one inward and one outward journey to/from college at the beginning and end of the college day. This may not be according to the start and finish of the timetable day
• assisted transport will only be provided between the same pick up/drop off points each day. If other destinations are required this will be parent/carer preference which they will have to organise and pay for
• transport is not provided for induction or taster days or work experience
• if students move outside of the Dorset Council area part way through their course, transport assistance will cease and they must apply to their new Local Authority for assistance
• the Council expects students to travel by public transport where it is available. Independent Travel Training may enable students to progress to using buses and/or trains. Please contact the school or college who may be able to access limited funds through Dorset Council to support this activity
• students who travel on contract bus routes or taxi with other students, have no choice as to the time for outward or return journeys

2.4 Application process

Applications for transport assistance must be received by the:

SEN Team

Dorset Council

County Hall

Dorchester

DT1 1XJ

by 31 May prior to the start of the course.

A young person must re-apply for transport for each year of study.

2.5 Charges and contributions

All young people will contribute towards the cost of transport.

For 2025/2026, Dorset Council has set this amount at £945.

If the family is on Maximum Working Credits or the student is entitled to free school meals, this will be reduced by 50%, consistent with the overall Post 16 Transport provision. (See Section 3)

In exceptional circumstances, the eligibility criteria with regard to ‘live over 3 miles from their nearest and/or appropriate school/college’ may be dis-applied for a young person with significant disability and/or mobility need and the contribution would be reduced by 50%.

Dorset Council is committed to supporting families in accessing post 16 education and has in addition set up the Local Authority 16+ Assistance Scheme whereby a post 16 student can qualify for a 50% reduction in the cost of their travel pass (those passes provided by the OSOO Contractors) or a 50% reduction in the £945 contribution towards transport provided by Dorset Council.

50% reduction in not available on public transport routes or rail.

In order to qualify for assistance under the Local Authority 16+ Assistance Scheme all students must meet each of the following criteria:

• be resident in the Dorset Council area
• be under 19 on 31 August immediately preceding the start of the academic year or up to 25 if a Section139a/Education, Health and Care Plan highlights transport is a necessity
• live over 3 miles from their nearest and/or appropriate school/college
• be in full time education (16 hours or more over 3+ days per week) and
• families are in receipt of Maximum Working Tax Credit/ Universal Credit, or the student is entitled to Free School Meals or 
• the student had a compelling medical circumstance prior to post 16 which attracted transport support and a case is made for it to continue (applies to nearest school/college only and supporting evidence from the appropriate Medical Officer will always be required) or 
• the student has a compelling medical circumstance that arises during post 16 education (applies to nearest school/college only and supporting evidence from the appropriate Medical Officer will always be required)

Supplementary information:

• assisted transport is only available for one inward and one outward journey to/from school/college at the beginning and end of the school/college day. This may not be according to the start and finish of the timetable day
• assisted transport will only be provided between the same pick up/drop off points each day. If other destinations are required this will be parent/carer preference which they will have to organise and pay for
• transport is not provided for induction or taster days or work experience
• if students move outside of the Dorset Council area part way through their course they must apply to their new Local Authority for assistance

Please note, at the time of updating this policy, it is the Government’s intention to enforce the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) on all routes carrying paying passengers. In the context of school transport, this means surplus seat pass holders.

This will require that all paying passengers must travel on a vehicle that has suitable access for passengers with disabilities, for example, low floors or wheelchair lifts.

As many vehicles used on school routes, such as older coaches, do not comply with these regulations, this will mean that they cannot be used to carry paying surplus seat pass holders. This will apply to all local authorities in England, not just Dorset Council.

However, it will not affect those pupils who are currently eligible for free school transport or surplus seat holders travelling on low-floor public service buses, PSVAR-compliant coaches or smaller vehicles such as minibuses and taxis.

This is likely to have some impact on school transport operators during the 2025/26 academic year and could potentially limit the future availability of surplus seats as a result.

It is unclear at the time of writing this policy what the scale and timing of this impact will be.

Under Section 508F Education Act 1996 where a Local Authority considers it necessary for a young person between 19 to 25 to have travel assistance (Section 139a/Education, Health and Care Plans so highlights) in order to access an education institution or training, then the Local Authority is required to provide free travel assistance.

6.1 When a travel pass (public transport) or OSOO seat can be used:

• if travelling on coaches or other contract transport arrangements, which do not involve season tickets, there will be no choice over the outward or return journey details
• if travelling with a season ticket these are usually available for use between designated stops and journeys and at an agreed time, morning and afternoon
• some bus operators have introduced a fare card system which allows travel in the evening and at weekends at a reduced cost. Check with your school/college or local bus operator
• opportunities for tickets, which can be used across transport providers, are not generally available

6.2 Out of Dorset Council area colleges which are beyond daily travel distances

If you are attending a college that is a considerable distance away from the Dorset Council area you should enquire directly to the college about transport support arrangements. Further details can be found at www.gov.uk/grant-bursary-adult-learners.

6.3 Complaints

Please refer to 5.1 in the Home to School Transport Policy for the complaints procedure.

6.4 Consultation

The Home to School Transport Policy and the Post 16 Transport Support Policy will be reviewed on an annual basis to reflect the changes to costs associated with SSTS fares.

If further changes are required, Dorset Council will consult with young people and their parents through the consultation pages.

Please refer to other sections within the Dorset Home to School Transport Policy for further information on:

• 2.1 Methods of Transport
• 2.2 Journey Times
• 2.3 Pickup and Drop off Points
• 2.5 Personal Luggage
• 3.1 Advice for Parents
• 3.2 Advice for Children
• 5.1 Complaints
• 5.2 Transport Appeals

Further information on the 16 to 19 Bursary scheme is available on the GOV.UK website.

Schools and sixth form provision

Budmouth Academy

Address:

Budmouth Academy

Chickerell Road

Weymouth

DT4 9SY

Budmouth 6th Form telephone: 01305 830560

Website: Budmouth Academy

Travelling to/from: There is a Vulnerable Student Bursary and a Discretionary Attendance Bursary. In addition, students may apply for a Travel Bursary.

Beaminster School 6th Form

Telephone: 01308 862633

Website: 6th Form Bursary Information Beaminster School

Travelling to/from: The school operates a 16 to 19 bursary Fund to support access to Post 16 provision.

The Blandford School

Telephone: 01258 451121

Website: The Blandford School Sixth Form

Travelling to/from: The school operates a 16 to 19 bursary Fund to support access to Post 16 provision.

Ferndown Upper School

Address:

Ferndown Upper School

Cherry Grove

Ferndown

BH22 9EY

Telephone: 01202 871243

Email: sixthform@fernup.dorset.sch.uk

Travelling to/from: 

Ferndown Upper School offer a Transport Bursary, currently up to £300 to support transport to access Post 16 provision.

In addition, there is the 16 to19 Bursary to support more general access to Post 16 but can be used in part to support transport.

Gillingham School

Address:

Gillingham School

Hardings Lane

Gillingham

SP8 4QP

Telephone: 01747 822222

Email: office@gillingham-dorset.co.uk

Website: Gillingham School financial support

Travelling to/from:  The school operates a 16-19 bursary Fund for its students.

The Gryphon School

Address:

The Gryphon School

Bristol Road

Sherborne

DT9 4EQ

Telephone: 01935 8131

Website: The Gryphon School transport

Travelling to/from: The school operates a 16 to 19 bursary system to support access to Post 16 studies.

The school contracts a number of buses to transport students from the surrounding areas:

• Route G800 – Quicksilver Pub to Gryphon via Larkhill
• Route G801 – Yeovil Marsh to Yeovil Hospital to The Gryphon Route
• G858 – From the Sturminster Newton Area into the Gryphon Route
• G802 – Queen Camel – North Cadbury – Wincanton – Templecombe

Paid seats available from Somerset - Request school transport on a paying basis.

Paid Seats from Dorset - southwestcoaches.co.uk.

Lytchett Minster School

Telephone: 01202 622413

Email: sixthform@lytchett.org.uk

Website: Lytchett Minster School support and wellbeing

Travelling to/from 

The school operates a 16-19 bursary system to support access to Post 16 studies.

The Purbeck School

Telephone: 01929 550077

Website: 

• The Purbeck School Transport
• The Purbeck School Bursaries

Travelling to/from: The school operates a 16-19 bursary system to support access to Post 16 studies.

There are also details of various public routes that student can access for attendance at The Purbeck School.

Routes running from:

• The Swanage Area into the Purbeck School
• Wool, Bovington, Lulworth 
• Morten, Broadmayne and Knitson
• Weymouth and Poole

Queen Elizabeth’s School

Address:

Queen Elizabeth’s School

Wimborne Minster

BH21 4DT

Telephone: 01202 885233

Email: office@queenelizabeths.com

Travelling to/from: The Thomas Hardye School have a 16 to 19 bursary scheme that will support students in accessing 6th Form provision.

Thomas Hardye School

Telephone: 01305 756801

Travelling to/from: The Thomas Hardye School have a 16 to 19 bursary scheme that will support students in accessing 6th Form provision.

Sir John Colfox

Telephone: 01308 422291

Website : The Sir John Colfox Academy

Travelling to/from: The school manages a 16-19 bursary fund to support access to 6th Form studies.

There is transport available between Sir John Colfox School and the Yeovil College as part of the Yeovil College Partnership.

Shaftesbury School

Telephone: 01747 854498

Email: sixthformOffice@shaftesburyschool.co.uk

Website: 

• Shaftesbury School Sixth Form
• Shaftesbury School transport

Travelling to/from: Shaftesbury School manages a 16-19 bursary fund to support access to 6th Form studies.

As there is a shared 6th form provision between Shaftesbury and Sturminster Newton – there is a free bus service between the 2 sites.

Sturminster Newton High School

Telephone: 01258 472642

Website: 

• Sturminster Newton High School Bursary
• Sturminster Newton High School transport

Travelling to/from: Sturminster Newton High School manages a 16-19 bursary fund to support access to 6th Form studies.

As there is a shared 6th form provision between Shaftesbury and Sturminster Newton, there is a free bus service between the 2 sites.

Woodroffe School, Lyme Regis

Telephone: 01927 442232

Website: 

• The Woodroffe School financial support
• The Woodroffe School Sixth Form

Travelling to/from: The Woodroffe school manages a 16-19 bursary fund to support access to 6th Form studies.

Further information on the 16 to 19 Bursary scheme is available on the GOV.UK website.

Colleges

Kingston Maurward College

Address:

Kingston Maurward College

Dorchester

DT2 8PY

Telephone: 01305 215032

Website:

• Transport - Kingston Maurward College
• Financial Support - Kingston Maurward College

Travelling to/from: The College manages a 16-19 bursary fund to support access to 6th Form studies.

The College run a series of dedicated routes across the County to assist students to access their studies.

These routes are finalised on an annual basis depending on demand for each annual recruitment cycle.

Weymouth College

Address:

Weymouth College

Cranford Avenue

Weymouth

DT4 7LQ

Telephone: 01305 764766 

Website: 

• Financial Support - Weymouth College
• Transport - Weymouth College

Support provision: The College manages a 16-19 bursary fund to support access to 6th Form studies.

There are a range of routes serviced by the College and other public bus providers:

• Blandford
• Piddlevalley – Piddlehinton – Charlton Down - Charminster
• Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) area
• Dorchester
• East Dorset
• Portland
• West Dorset
• Yeovil

As well as local routes in and around Weymouth itself.

Students can apply for transport assistance if they live 5 miles from the college.

Bournemouth and Poole College

Address:

Bournemouth and Poole College

North Road

Parkstone

Poole

BH14 0LS

Telephone: 01202 205660

Email: studentfinance@bpc.ac.uk

Website: Student Finance - Bournemouth and Poole College

Support provision: 

• student financial support
• 16 to 18 year old students
• vulnerable and discretionary bursaries, including:
  • college meal
  • travel support

At Bournemouth and Poole College, we can support with the cost of your course and travel costs.

If you are a student who is either in care or leaving care, you would be eligible to apply for a vulnerable bursary, which could include a monthly payment, paid direct to you to help you with those little extras, as well as receiving a college meal card and travel pass.

Discretionary bursaries are for those students who have a lower income within their families and are currently receiving one of the benefits stated in the criteria Student Finance - Bournemouth and Poole College.

Brockenhurst College

Address

Brockenhurst College

Lyndhurst Road

Brockenhurst

SO4 7ZE

Telephone: 01590 625533

Email: travel@brock.sc.uk

Website: 

• Travelling to Brock - Brockenhurst College
• Bursaries and financial support - Brockenhurst College

Support provision:

The College manages a 16 to 19 bursary fund to support access to 6th Form studies.

The College is accessible through both public and train services from:

• Salisbury
• Southampton
• Isle of Wight
• Bournemouth
• Poole

There are various public bus routes to access Marchwood as well.

Yeovil College

Address:

Yeovil College

Mudford Road

Yeovil

BA21 4DR

Telephone: 01935 423921

Email: izone@yeovil.ac.uk

Website: 

• Yeovil College - fees for students and full-time courses bursary
• travelling and getting to Yeovil College

Support provision: The College manages a 16 to 19 bursary fund to support access to 6th Form studies.

The college is accessible from both Bus and Train routes:

1. Bus - Gillingham & Shaftesbury to Yeovil – (YC1)

2. Bus - Bridport & Beaminster (YC3)

In addition, there are routes from Blandford and Sturminster Newton, Dorchester, Sherborne – updated routings and timings. Plan Your Journey - Traveline.

Wiltshire College

Address

Wiltshire College

Southampton Road

Salisbury

Wiltshire

SP1 2LW

Telephone: 01225 350035

Website: Travelling to College - Wiltshire College & University Centre

Support provision, travelling to Wiltshire College:

• studying at the Chippenham Campus - Travelling to Chippenham. The Chippenham Campus is services by both bus and rail.
• studying at the Lackham Campus - Travelling to Lackham, Wiltshire College and University Centre. The Lackham Campus is services by bus. The nearest rail service is to Chippenham (3.5 miles)
• studying at the Trowbridge Campus - Travelling to Trowbridge, Wiltshire College and University Centre. The Chippenham Campus is services by both bus and rail.
• Studying at the Salisbury Campus - Travelling to Salisbury, Wiltshire College and University Centre. The Chippenham Campus is services by both bus and rail.
• for students from Dorset, there are bus routes into Salisbury from certain centres in Dorset with a range of ticket options:
  • Salisbury Reds - Buses across Salisbury
  • Morebus

This policy was last reviewed in 2026.