Eligibility

If your child is attending their catchment school and you live more than 3 miles(or 2 miles for primary aged children) from the school (measured by the shortest safe walking route) you will be entitled to home to school transport assistance.

Denominational Schools

If your child is attending a denominational school due to your religion or belief then home to school travel assistance will be provided to the nearest establishment if you live over 3 miles from the school (or 2 miles for primary aged children).

Low income families

From September 2008 a change has been implemented through the 2006  Education Act to assist parents/carers on low income to receive help with secondary school transport as follows: 

If your child is entitled to free school meals or the family is in receipt of their maximum level of Working Tax Credit then Home to School transport assistance will be provided if your child is attending one of the three nearest secondary schools and you live between 2 and 6 miles from the school,  OR,   if your child is attending a denominational school, due to your religion or belief, then Home to School transport assistance will be provided to the nearest suitable school where the school is between 2 miles and 15 miles from the family home.

Where transport has been provided due to low income, this will be reviewed each year and parents/carers will be required to send in a copy of their latest TC 602 to apply for transport each year of their child's schooling.

Download the application for free school transport and return the completed form (with a passport sized photograph if a bus pass is required).

Special educational needs pupils

Pupils and students with special needs are also considered under the same rules as above. However they will also be provided with free transport if we judge that their special needs require the provision of transport to be able to attend school.  For more details on transport for pupils and students with special needs contact the SEN co-ordination service.

Exceptional circumstances

In exceptional circumstances we may be able to offer transport on a short term basis. These exceptional circumstances may be for personal, social or medical reasons. For further information please telephone the school transport section.

Concessionary fares

Pupils not eligible for free transport can use any spare places on the council's home to school transport if they pay a concessionary fare. This fare is subject to change each year. You should contact Transport Planning for further information.