Young people and education

The British Youth Council, Child Poverty Action Group, Kids Company and the National Union of Teachers have published The Costs of Going to School, from Young People's Perspectives.

Based on a survey and four focus groups with 399 young people, key findings include that:

• 27 percent of students on free school meals chose not to study arts or music due to the associated costs;
• 57 percent of low-income students and 28 percent of better-off students had missed at least one school trip due to the cost;
• Nine percent did not have access to a computer at home, or were denied internet access; and
• 19 percent on free school meals, 12 percent from low-income families and 19 percent from better-off households found the costs of after school clubs and other activities, or the cost of associated transport prohibitive.

To download the full report visit www.ncvys.org.uk/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=528&qid=7545.

The Department for Education has published research providing an independent evaluation of the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund, which was introduced in September 2011 and provides financial support to young people who face significant financial barriers to participation in education or training post-16.

To download the research visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-the-16-to-19-bursary-fund-year-1-report.