Assistance with transport
We will provide free transport to school for pupils of statutory school age if the school attended is the nearest appropriate one, as determined by the local authority and if the distance between home and that school, when measured by the nearest available walking route, is more than the 'statutory walking distance'.
Parental preference
The policies that apply to school admissions and transport to school operate separately. In particular, if a pupil is offered a place in a school this does not in any way guarantee that transport will be available. If transport to school is an issue for you when applying for a school, you are strongly advised to contact the Children and Young People Information Service before stating your preference.
If you do not apply for your nearest appropriate school as your first preference your child may not be considered for free transport to any school. You must accept full responsibility for the cost and arrangements of your child's travel to and from school.
Type of transport
Where children qualify for transport to school, we reserve the right to determine whether they will be provided with a scholar's season ticket for travel on the public bus or rail services or whether their travelling arrangements will be met by the provision of a hired vehicle. The authority may agree to a reimbursement of mileage costs rather than provision of transport. Each case will be considered on merit according to individual circumstances. The cost to us of making suitable transport arrangements must not be unreasonable. Sometimes there are spare seats on vehicles, which may be available under the Concessionary Travel Scheme. Details are available from the Children and Young People Information Service.
Pupils with special educational needs
Pupils with Statements of Special Educational Needs have the same entitlement to transport under legislation or South Gloucestershire policies agreed by the executive member for Children and Young People as any other South Gloucestershire pupil.
Children with Statements of Special Educational Needs who may have no entitlement on distance grounds or South Gloucestershire policies will be considered under the local authority's special educational needs transport policy. Transport is provided to the nearest appropriate school, as defined by the local authority, with regard to a child's particular disabilities. In specific cases entitlement may include access to a guide escort.