School - travel support
The LEA provides free school transport for full time pupils aged 4-16 years as follows.
(i) for primary school pupils residing 1.5 miles or more from the school in whose catchment area they reside;
(ii) for secondary school pupils residing 3 miles or more from the school in whose cachment area they reside (with
the exception of 6th form pupils / further education students (see 6.4 below);
(iii) for pupils whose special educational needs, medical condition or other individual circumstances, in the opinion
of the LA, make free transport necessary;
(iv) For pupils who attend St Mary’s School and who live between 1.5 and 6 miles from the school;
(v) For pupils who do not qualify for transport under (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above but who travel to school along a route
that is considered to be exceptionally hazardous or under other exceptional circumstances;
(vi) For pupils who attend a school which is not their catchment area school if that is the nearest school to the home,
and if the distance from home to the school is 2 miles or more for pupils under 8 years old or 3 miles or more
for pupils aged 8 years or older.
Except for those children in (iii) above it is expected for a child to walk a reasonable distance to meet any transport provided.
Primary school pupils living within 1.5 miles of school
In some areas transport is provided at a reduced cost of 10 pence per journey for pupils who live within 1.5 miles of school.
Secondary School Pupils (including 6th form and further education students aged 16-19) living within 3 miles of school / college
Under Section 32 of the 1980 Transport Act (which enables LAs to use school transport for fare-paying passengers)pupils/students who live less than 3 miles from the catchment area school, and are therefore not entitled to free transport may, conditionally, take advantage of any available spare seating capacity on the LAs contract vehicles on payment of a standard flat rate charge, which is currently 20p per journey payable to the bus company, or £60 annually (or 2 x £30) for a bus pass payable to the Local Authority. (This arrangement is not available to pupils who have the use of public transport).
6th Form Pupils / Further Education Students aged 16-19 years who live over 3 miles from school / college
Transport is provided to the school or nearest appropriate further education college at a reduced rate of £60 per year with the option of making one payment of £60 or two payments of £30.
Pupils who are granted permission to attend a school other than the school serving the catchment area in which they reside are normally required to make their own transport arrangements and to meet the cost involved. The LA will consider applications in respect of such pupils for permission to take up vacant seats on school contract vehicles at a cost which corresponds to the cost of public transport. (This arrangement is not available to pupils who have the use of public service transport). The cost of public transport is currently 80p return per pupil, per day.
The charge for travel in connection with the above scheme is £50.00 per term (£150.00 per year) or £100.00 per year if you wish to pay in one instalment ( a discount of 33% on the full price).
School Transport Behaviour Code (all pupils)
All pupils are expected to conform with the requirements of this code.
Pupils who change address
Financial assistance may be given towards travelling cost or arrangements, as listed below, for pupils who move to live into a different catchment area during an examination course (GCSE) and who wish to remain at his/her school until completion of that course.
(i) That pupils receive repayment up to a maximum of the equivalent of 20 miles daily at public transport rates.
(ii) That pupils are allowed to travel free when the Authority is able to provide transport at no extra cost.
(iii) That the arrangements are for the duration of the course only and where the distances travelled are reasonable.
(iv) That payments are made at the end of term based on the number of days the pupil is registered as present on
the school register.
Following the completion of the course, it is expected that the pupil attend the school that serves the area of his/her new home.
Transport is not provided for part time nursery pupils.
Enquiries regarding any matter relating to the provision of school transport should be made to the Transport Officer in the Highways Department (tel: 01248 751892)
