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Education Transport and Awards

Telephone: 0845 603 2200

  Travel to school

9 May 2013

These pages will provide you with information about transport to and from school. Whether you are a parent or a young person, you will find a range of options available. We have produced a document that provides general guidance for parents/guardians and young people relating to school transport. 
 

Information for parents 

The transport provided will depend on the type of school your child attends. If your child is offered a place at a mainstream (foundation, community or voluntary-controlled) or (voluntary-aided faith) primary or secondary school, they could be entitled to free or assisted home to school transport. For further details please visit the relevant page below.
 

Raising of Participation Age

From Summer 2013, young people will be required to continue in education or training until the end of the academic year in which they turn 17. Despite this, there has been no change to the national policy for the provision of home to school transport.
 
For Post 16 students, the provision of transport remains a discretionary award for local authorities.
 
Essex County Council will continue to make transport available to all Post 16 students (including those with Special Educational Needs) who qualify for assistance under the policy outlined on the Post 16 Transport travel page.
 
You can find out more on The Department of Education’s Raising of Participation Age webpage which has a range of factsheets aimed at schools, parents, young people.
 
 

My child is attending a: 

 

We can also help you make informed decisions if you think you have exceptional grounds for needing school transport support, if your child has special educational needs, is 16-19 or requires independent travel training.
 
Other choices include driving your child to school and the spare seat scheme.
  

Information for young people

If you are a young person and would like to know about different ways to travel, we have lots of information to help you choose a way that suits you.
 

Here are some options: 

Travelling to school 

Please note: The county council only provides transport for full-time students. Where a child is starting school and attending part time, parents are required to make their own arrangements. Eligible children may use the morning or afternoon transport service if they wish. Lunchtime transport is not provided.
 
When travelling to and from school it is important parents and children are aware of appropriate pupil behaviour.
 
You can request the full Education Transport Policy (January 2013) by emailing educationawards@essex.gov.uk. 
 
You can also let us know how school transport is working for your child by completing our home-to-school transport passenger survey.