Secondary school transport policy

Here you can find out about our policy on transport to secondary schools.

Is my child entitled to free school transport to a secondary school?

We provide assistance with transport for secondary age school pupils to the end of statutory school age who do not live within walking distance of their normal area school. This distance is three miles and is measured by the shortest available route.
There may be exceptions to this if we agree that the route to the normal area school is dangerous for a child (accompanied if necessary) to undertake on foot.

  • To faith schools
    Parents choosing a voluntary aided faith school on religious grounds may be eligible to receive assistance with transport if the chosen school is the normal area voluntary school (in most cases the nearest) and the school is outside the walking distance as explained above.
    In addition, in the case of Catholic Schools, only Roman Catholic baptised children are eligible to receive assistance with travel. In all such requests baptismal certificates are required as necessary evidence

  • To other schools
    Parents who send their child to a school which is not their normal area school will not normally receive assistance with transport.
    However, assistance with transport will be provided when a child attends a school, other than the normal area school, which is beyond the three-mile limit but is closer to the child’s home than the normal area school.

What if I am in receipt of benefit?

From September 2008, children aged 11-16 who are entitled to free school meals or whose families get the maximum level of working tax credit are entitled to free transport to any one of three nearest suitable schools where the distance is between two and six miles.
Where the school is preferred on grounds of religion or belief, the distance is between two and 15 miles and the school is the nearest appropriate school.
Each year, we will check whether parents are still eligible for transport assistance. If parents are no longer eligible, for example because they no longer receive relevant benefits, parents may have to meet their child’s transport costs.

You can also find out about our policy on transport to primary schools or view our sustainable modes of travel strategy.

DirectGov