Apply for school transport support (5-16 year olds)

Your child may be eligible if they are in Year R to Year 11, and one of the following applies:

• they attend their catchment school (or a nearer school) and live over the statutory walking distance
• their catchment school is full, they attend the next nearest school, and live over the statutory walking distance
• you named your child’s catchment school as your first preference, but they were offered a different school by the council, and live over the statutory walking distance

We cannot provide transport if your child attends a school not designated by the council, such as a preference school.

Statutory walking distances

The walking distance is measured by the shortest available walking route between your home and the school:

• Year R to age 8 years – over 2 miles
• age 8 years to Year 11 – over 3 miles
• age 8 years to Year 11 (and meet the low income criteria below) – over 2 miles

You child may be eligible if your family meets the low income criteria below, and one of the following applies:

• your child is over 8 years old, attends primary school (up to Year 6), attend their catchment school or a nearer school, and lives more than 2 miles away
• their catchment school is full, they attend the next nearest primary school, and live more than 2 miles away
• they’re in Year 7 to 11, attend one of the three nearest secondary schools, and live more than 2 miles away

You need to reapply each academic year, so your income can be reassessed.

Low income criteria

Your total household income must be under £16,190, and you must receive one of the following:

• Child Tax Credit
• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-based Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• maximum Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit, with annual earnings under £7,400 (not including benefits)

You child must also be entitled to free school meals.

If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), attend the designated school in their plan, and one of the following is met, they may qualify:

• the distance from home to school is over three miles (for over 8 year olds), two miles (for 5-8 year olds, or low income families).
• your child is unable to walk to school due to SEND or mobility reason
• you’re a parent/carer with a disability that prevents you from accompanying your child to school, and you can provide medical evidence
• the walking route to school is unsafe

We cannot provide transport if your child goes to a school not designated by us, such as a preference school.

Discretionary travel assistance

If your child does not meet any statutory criteria above, you may be able to apply for discretionary travel assistance, using the exceptional circumstances criteria.

Applications are assessed within 10 working days. If your child is eligible for school travel assistance, the access and entitlement team will contact you to complete the necessary forms.

If your application is approved:

• bus passes may take up to six weeks to process
• taxi or minibus transport may take up to 10 working days to arrange (you’ll need to fill out a health and safety form)

When transport has been arranged, you’ll receive the following written details:

• type of transport
• name and phone number of the transport provider
• name of the passenger assistant
• pick-up and drop-off points
• start date

Journey times is no more than 45 minutes for primary schools, and no more than 75 minutes for secondary schools.

Contact the relevant team at Civic Offices if you have questions about the following:

• school travel assistance – 023 9268 8668
• eligibility for travel assistance – 023 9268 8101
• children’s social care – call 023 9284 9111