Financial help with home to school travel

Some definitions

  • A low income family is entitled either to the maximum level of Working Tax Credit or to free school meals.
  • A designated school is a school suitable to your child's age and ability that serves the area your child lives. If there is more than one school, the designated school is the one nearest to your child's home that is suitable and has a place available. This might be a school in another county, or a denominational school.
School bus
School bus

Statutory walking distance

We will provide free transport between home and school if:

  • your child is under eight years old and lives more than two miles (3,218 metres) from the designated school
  • your child is over eight years old and lives more than three miles (4,828 metres) from the designated school.

If your child qualifies because of their age and distance from school you do not have to do anything. You will be assessed for free transport when you apply for a school place. Our transport team will make the arrangements.

Denominational schools

Our policy has recently changed. See our page about help for low income families above.

Medical conditions

Pupils unable to walk to school

You can apply for help if your child has a medical condition preventing them walking to school or using public transport. They must attend the designated school to get this help. We will seek medical evidence from the Designated Medical Officer who must confirm the medical condition and that your child cannot walk the statutory distance.

Parents and carers with a disability

If you can't walk with your children to school or use public transport because of a disability, we may be able to assist with transport. This scheme only applies to primary school children.

To receive help, your child must attend the designated school. We will take into account the distance to school. Where the distance is very short for a child in their upper junior years, assistance may not be agreed.

Route safety

Where parents challenge the suitability of a route to school, we will assess the route and report on its safety using nationally set standards. To qualify for help your child must attend the designated school, but if alternative safe routes are available within the statutory walking distance, help won't be given.

Individual circumstances

If your child does not qualify for help under any of the above policies, you can have your case considered by a panel of elected County Councillors:

The panel's decision is final and there is no right of appeal.

Policy documents

The School Transport Policy includes a note about purchasing vacant seats on our hired vehicles if you don't qualify for other help.

Enquiries