A PROMISING Truro College student could be denied a place at university if her appeal for transport funding is turned down.

Amy Yeoman achieved three distinction stars – the highest mark possible - in her BTEC level 3 national extended diploma in applied science, with an emphasis on biomedical science. She plans to continue her studies at Plymouth University from September 21, in the hope of gaining a PhD and pursuing a career in cancer research.

“It’s amazing,” she said of her results. “This is all I do – it’s my life.”

However, in order to accept her space in Plymouth, Amy - a former pupil of Pencalenick School in Truro - must appeal a decision against public funding for her transport to the city from her home in Par.

A full-time powerchair user due to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Amy has complex physical needs including non-epileptic seizures, and has an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP). Her mother Emma explained that plans for the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) to fund a taxi to and from the university in Plymouth had been overturned due to Amy already receiving funding for a Motability vehicle used by the family.

The decision is under appeal on the grounds of “administrative inflexibility, misapplication of DfE guidance … and indirect discrimination under the Equality Act 2010”, which will “prevent a vulnerable student from commencing her higher education”. The result of the appeal is expected by the end of the month.

“It’s a blanket policy, and Amy falls through the gaps,” said Emma. “The decision relies on the assumption that a third party can act as a full-time, uncompensated chauffeur for a 70-mile daily round trip. This is logistically impossible - no designated driver is available due to full-time work commitments and local care duties.

“Meanwhile, Amy’s specialized powerchair exceeds the standard maximum dimensions and weight capacities mandated across the UK rail network.

“The DfE’s ‘double funding’ policy is designed to prevent a student from receiving two sets of public funds for the same functional utility, but a public fund (Motability) that she cannot legally utilise to get to university cannot be counted as an active educational travel provision.”

Gary Kos, deputy designated safeguarding lead, said: “We have supported Amy with external social services and school nursing services to make sure she can access her education efficiently and without any barriers, making all reasonable adjustment so she can access the same spaces and the curriculum as her peers.

“We are very, very proud she got three distinctions stars, and we are supporting her appeal against her transport issues in the hope she can go to university. Why shouldn’t she, a young person doing so very well and with an incredible future in research ahead of her? Her tutor thinks she could be the next big name in science – that’s very exciting.

“We will be speaking with the local authority to make sure she can access higher education as any other young person would be able to, regardless of disability.”

Victoria Ford, deputy head of faculty for science, added: “Her appeal isn’t just important to Amy specifically; she will be an asset to any university she chooses to go to. She has been presenting as university level ever since she started this course - her results were on the cards from day one.

“She’s going to be something exceptional. I don’t think there is any ceiling to her potential. My prediction is ground-breaking, life-saving research that will change the world.”

The Department for Education has been contacted for comment.