Financial help with home to school travel
Children living in East Sussex may qualify for financial assistance for their journey between home and school under certain circumstances.
The term 'designated school' is often used when talking about home to school transport. A designated school can be the 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.
Help for low income families
You will meet the definition of a low income family if you are entitled either to the maximum level of Working Tax Credit, or to Free school meals.
Find out more about how to apply for Help with school transport for low income families.
Help for students over 16
Students who live over three miles from their nearest college may be entitled to help with travel costs. See our youth website:
Help for children with special educational needs
If for medical or physical reasons your child cannot use public transport or you live more than three miles from the designated school (or two miles if your child is under eight) your child may be entitled to assistance with home-to-school transport:
Denominational schools
You can apply for financial help with school transport if your child goes to a church aided school and they meet certain criteria. Find out if your child qualifies for help, and how to apply:
Statutory walking distance
We will provide free transport between home and school if your child is over eight years old and lives three miles (4828 metres) from the designated school, or two miles (3218 metres) if they are under eight years old.
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.
Pupils with medical conditions
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 medical condition
If you can't walk with your children to school or use public transport because of a long term illness or medical condition, 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.
Transport after moving house
Normally, if you move house and you want to keep your child at the same school, you will need to make the travel arrangements for your child. However, if you move house and your child has completed a term of Year 10 studies or if you are temporarily re-housed, help may be given.
Your child must attend the designated school from the previous address.
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.
Where can I get more advice?
You can read more about school transport by downloading our school travel plans and strategies.
You can also contact the School Admissions and Transport Team.
