Mainstream appeals

Stage 1 appeals

Complete a stage 1 appeal form to make an appeal about a decision to decline school transport. The stage 1 appeal is carried out by a senior officer. They will review the request against the school transport policy. This stage does not take account of personal or extenuating reasons.

The senior officer:

  • will consider your stage 1 appeal form

  • will consider any information provided in support of the appeal

  • will consider the original application form or transport request and any information provided in support

  • will consider any other correspondence used when reaching the initial decision

  • may consult other departments and or agencies as necessary.

We aim to provide you with a decision from your stage 1 appeal within 20 working days of receipt of the appeal form.  You will receive an email with detailed reasoning for the decision and how you can escalate your case to stage 2 if you are not happy with the outcome.

During this stage (or a stage 2 appeal) we will not provide travel assistance or make a change to existing travel assistance. You will continue to be responsible for ensuring your child attends their placement.

Stage 2 appeals

You can only make a stage 2 appeal after you have received a decision from a stage 1 appeal.

There are different appeal forms depending on the age of the learner requiring transport. Your decision letter from the stage 1 appeal will inform you which form to complete.  The forms can be found at the bottom of this page.

All stage 2 appeals will be considered by the Discretionary Transport Appeal Panel.  This is made up of three elected County Councillors. The Appeal Panel will consider the original application and the appeal forms together with any supporting documents or information provided in relation to the application or the appeal. 

If the cost of transport will have a significant impact on your finances, you must complete the financial statement. Please be assured that all information is treated in the strictest confidence.

It is not usually possible to attend Appeal Panel meetings in person. It may be possible to provide verbal representations at the meeting only in exceptional circumstances where there could be significant disadvantage in making an appeal without this.  This can be requested on the appeal form.

The Appeal Panel will meet within 40 working days of receipt of the application.  Within 5 working days of the meeting, you will be informed of their decision in writing by secure email. This will include details of how to escalate your complaint to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. At peak times it is not always possible to send decisions within this timescale.

If your appeal is unsuccessful, to make another appeal for the same child and the same school/college you must prove your circumstances have changed significantly.

Find out about appeal panel members and future meetings.

Stage 2 appeal forms