Help with school transport for low income families – how to apply

Please note:

• For definitions of ‘low income' and ‘designated school', and advice about other special circumstances, please see our main page about financial help with home to school travel.
• Each year the School Admissions and Transport team will review any help you already receive, and if necessary will contact you to renew your application.

Primary age pupils

Children under eight are entitled to free transport if their designated school is more than two miles but less than three miles from their home. In this case you do not need to do anything – you will be assessed when you apply for a school place.

Children over eight are entitled to free transport if their designated school is more than two miles but less than three miles from their home and they are from a low income family.

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.

Primary church aided schools

We do not provide free transport for children so that they can attend a denominational primary school for religious reasons.

Secondary age pupils

Children from low income families can get free transport to one of the three schools nearest to where they live. The school must be more than two miles but less than six miles away.

Distances up to two miles are determined by using the shortest available walking route. The six mile upper limit is measured using roads only.

Secondary church aided schools

Children from low income families who want to attend a denominational school are entitled to free transport if:

• their journey from home to school is more than two miles and less than 15 miles
• they meet the religious qualification.

Children who are not from a low income family and who currently get help with travel costs will continue to receive assistance if they are moving into Year 11 in a denominational school in September 2011. This assistance will last until the end of the academic year.

Guidance notes

Please download an application form below – you will find detailed guidance notes at the end of either version.

This form is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format and Rich Text format. If these don't work for you, we can help you with viewing files.