We run homework club 3 times per week and out LA collections happen after that club. They won't collect before and after as that is two runs and increases cost so we have to make the club 'compulsory' i.e. if not doing it then parents collect.

If there is no cost implication and the pupil is staying after school for a school event I can't see the issue at all. It's petty nonsense. Our taxi firms will collect after one off events such as school plays/ discos etc provided everyone on the transport is at the event and we give plenty of notice.

I would certainly suggest to the LA that their intransigence means they are failing to meet the child's needs and given there is no cost implication, and the taxi firm are happy to make the change, there can be no justification for it what so ever.

We have come across a similar situation in Hull with a pupil wanting to stay behind 3 nights per week to attend a homework club. After explaining the situation with the transport lead, the pick up times were altered on these days. Our transport team were prepared to change their arrangements to support the pupil because they felt it was possible and was the right thing to do. If your team aren't prepared to do this I can't see a problem with using the Equality Act to back your argument (as you'll know this legislation only really becomes powerful when parents/children complain (in writing) that they feel their treatment is discriminatory).

If our students stay behind for after school club and during holiday club the parents are asked to collect them. In holiday club some parents book ring and ride transport but this has to be paid for .

We have a Year 11 student that relies on school transport who stayed after school for extra tuition for GCSE preparation  &  faced with the same problem, we supported parents to apply for a grant, they were awarded £600 towards the cost of taxis. This could be something to explore.