If your child has been offered a school place you could be entitled to free home-to-school transport.
Policy
We can provide free home-to-school transport for children who attend an appropriate school and meet the qualifying distance criteria.
An appropriate school is:
- the nearest school identified by SENCAN
- the designated (catchment) mainstream school
- a school nearer than the closest appropriate school or catchment school
Qualifying distance criteria
- two miles or more for children aged eight and younger
(school years R-3)
- three miles or more for children aged eight and older
(school years 4-11)
If a child lives within the distance criteria, transport cannot be provided unless there is written medical evidence that the child’s special educational needs are such that the parent/carer cannot get him/her to school.
The 'qualifying distance' will be measured by the shortest available route. That is a route between the home address and the designated school that can be walked by a child, accompanied as necessary by an adult, in reasonable safety. The route and its availability will be determined by us.
This policy only applies to pupils who live in an area administered by us. Free transport may mean a seat on a contract bus, a ticket for a public bus or train or, in limited circumstances (when it is the most cost-effective option), the reimbursement of fuel costs for the use of a car.
Low income policy
Primary school age
We provide free home-to-school transport for children aged 8-11 (school years 4-6) from low income families who live more than two miles from, and are attending, their nearest appropriate school.
Secondary school age
We provide free home-to-school transport for children aged 11-16 (school years 7-11) from low income families where they are admitted to one of their three nearest qualifying (appropriate) schools and where that school is more than two miles but less than six miles from their home address (to be a 'qualifying school', the school must have space available).
Low income families are defined as those who are entitled to
free school meals (whether the family is claiming these or not), or those who are in receipt of the maximum level of Working Tax Credit.
How to apply
In order to apply for transport, you must complete an
application for each child.
Printed copies of the application form and guidance notes can be obtained from the Education Transport and Awards team.
If you would like your application to be assessed under the low income policy, please provide us with evidence of your income and benefits. If you receive Tax Credits, submit a copy of your Tax Credit award letter for the tax year to support your application.
If there is a change affecting the transport that has already been set up for your child, such as a change of address, school or need, please complete and return an
amendment form. Please note that we may need to reassess transport entitlement.
For more information, contact the Education Transport and Awards Team.