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 South Gloucestershire Council, and if the distance between home and that school, when measured by the nearest available walking route, is more than the “statutory walking distance”. The statutory walking distance is two miles for pupils aged up to eight and three miles for those aged eight and over. The statutory walking distance is “measured by the shortest route along which a child accompanied as necessary may walk with reasonable safety”. If it is considered that the nearest available walking route to the nearest appropriate school represents a significant and particular road danger, transport may be provided even if it is nearer than the statutory walking distance to school. Distances are measured from home to the nearest school gate using the South Gloucestershire Council Routes to School Gazetteer.
Parental/Carer 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 & Young People Information Service before stating your preference.
If you do not apply for your nearest appropriate school as your highest ranking preference your child may not be given free transport to any school. You must then accept full responsibility for the cost and arrangements of your child’s travel to and from school.
Assistance for Children on the Basis of Family Income
Children from families entitled to free school meals or who are in receipt of the maximum level of Working Tax Credit will be entitled to free transport if they are aged between 8 and 11 and live more than two miles (measured in the same way as the statutory walking distance) from their nearest qualifying school. Once eligibility has been confirmed, the Local Authority considers the pupil to be eligible for the entirety of the school year for which the assessment has been made.
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. South Gloucestershire Council may agree to 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. Provided that parents/carers clearly agree, a cycling allowance can be paid to eligible pupils. Sometimes there are spare seats on vehicles which may be available under the Concessionary Travel Scheme. Details are available from the Children & 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 (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 South Gloucestershire Council’s special educational needs transport policy. Transport is provided to the nearest appropriate school, as defined by South Gloucestershire Council, with regard to a child’s particular disabilities. In specific cases entitlement may include access to a Guide Escort. In appropriate cases, a Guide Escort may be provided to assist a child in walking to school, rather than provision of transport.
Exceptionally Hazardous Routes
Ordinarily transport will not be provided for pupils who live nearer to school than the statutory walking distance. However, if it is considered that the nearest available walking route to the nearest appropriate school represents a significant and particular road danger, transport may be provided even if it is nearer than the statutory walking distance to school.