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.
How will my child get to school?
Transport to the normal area school
We provide assistance with transport for secondary 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 it is measured by the shortest available route.
Bus passes or refunds are issued where appropriate and special contract transport is arranged if public transport is not available.
There may be exceptions to the transport rules if we agree that the route to the normal area school is dangerous for a child, accompanied if necessary, to undertake on foot. Spare places on a contract bus may be provided on a concessionary basis for children who are not normally entitled to free transport, however a fare will be charged.
Transport 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 voluntary school) 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.
We have decided to introduce charges for faith school transport with effect from September 2011. The decision was taken to phase in the charges, commencing with new transport users only and protecting existing recipients.
The charge for the 2011/12 academic year will be £317 per annum for a secondary school pupil.
A wide range of payment methods will be available for parents including cash, cheque, online credit card and direct debit. Parents will have the facility to pay on an annual, termly or monthly basis. A maximum charge relating to two pupils per household will be observed.
Transport to other schools
Parents who send their children to a school which is not their normal area school will not normally receive assistance with transport (children living outside the county attending Derbyshire schools should apply to their home council).
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.