DEVON’S 16-year-olds are being told they will have to prove they need help to get to sixth form or vocational college under new rules imposed by Devon County Council.

Parents and colleges across the county have urged the county council to think again because of the feared impact of the change on discouraging youngsters from getting the best education they can locally.

Liberal Democrats in Devon said the ruling conservatives on Devon County Council ignored these concerns and voted through new measures which say youngsters will need ‘evidence that they could not access education or training without support being given’. And support would not be given ‘even where using the family vehicle would be an inconvenience for the family’.

Cllr Alan Connett, leader of the Liberal Democrat team on the council, said: ‘Devon is yet again penalising young people and mainly rural families with this new policy. The Government requires young people to stay in education or training until they are 18 but is not giving any more money towards school transport costs.

‘And while colleges have an allocation to help with education costs for poorer families, they are worried the demand will be greater than the funds available and a whole new set of red tape will be needed for youngsters who need getting to college.’

In a report to the county council cabinet last week, Conservative councillors agreed to remove the current automatic entitlement to transport for post-16 students.

Tavistock College principal Sarah Jones said:?‘Tavistock College has a thriving Sixth Form and many people want to come here. Our catchment covers many remote areas. Up until 16 it is the local authority’s responsibility to get students to school. By reducing funding for over 16s it puts pressure on young people.’

She added that the students who could not afford their own car or access to transport would be entitled to a bursary but the school has already had to subidise that this year.

‘It’s going to put a lot of pressure on the school budget should we wish to use it. I feel angry about this and think it may discourage some from continuing with their education.’

The hardship caused by the new rules is the real concern for Cllr Connett and the Liberal Democrats who fear it will now be almost impossible for young people to get help from the county council if they need to get to college for their studies.

Cllr Connett added: ‘This is a re-run of the axe the council planned to take to the county’s lollipop school crossing patrol service and does nothing to support Devon youngsters getting to school.’

Devon County Council’s cabinet member for schools James McInnes said: ‘We are writing to the Government and our MPs to lobby them to increase funding for post-16 transport. They recommended young people should stay on in education, employment or training and then forgot to fund it.

‘Our school transport budget is already over £21.5-million — one of the highest in the country. It’s heading for an overspend of £1-million this year and we have to find savings.

‘Colleges and schools with sixth forms already receive bursary funding from the Government to help low income families with travel costs. Students should make use of this first and Devon will then provide support to the most vulnerable students.’