Free Transport for Statutory School Age
Please remember the policy details provided on this page only apply to Staffordshire residents. If you do not live in Staffordshire, you should approach your own council for transport assistance. The attached document contains a summary of our home to school and college transport policy.
Transport policy summary - Word version|
Transport policy summary - PDF version|
If your child has special educational needs and you want more details about the home to school transport policy for your child, please see our pages about SEN transport|.
Decisions regarding entitlement to transport are made by the School Admissions and Transport Service, Tipping Street, Stafford, ST16 2DH, telephone 01785 278593, or email transport.entitlement@staffordshire.gov.uk|||
For any enquiries about the day to day operation of your transport (such as complaints or queries about the route you have been allocated to, queries about the pick up point or you have lost your pass), please contact the Integrated Transport and Planning Unit, Riverway, Stafford, ST16 3TJ, email student.transport@staffordshire.gov.uk||| or telephone 01785 278679 (north of the county - Newcastle and Moorlands area), or 278678 (east of the county including Lichfield and Tamworth), or 278718/19 (west of the county including Stafford, Cannock and South Staffs)
Free Transport for statutory school age pupils (up to and including year group 11)
Pupils are normally entitled to free home to school transport if they
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Reside in Staffordshire, and
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Live beyond the walking distance from the school that they attend which is also their registered base, and
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Live within the designated catchment area of the school, or are attending the nearest suitable school, as determined by the Authority. To check the catchment school for your address please use the localview website. Catchment areas also includes the denominational transport areas, where they exist, which are determined by the Local Authority for individual denominational schools, following consultation with the Diocesan and any other bodies concerned (please be aware that changes are being made to denominational transport from September 2011 - see below for more details)
Walking distance is defined as up to two miles for pupil's aged under eleven at the start of the school year, and up to three miles for pupils over eleven at the start of the school year. The distance is measured using the shortest available walking route from the pupil address to the nearest available gate to the school site, using the Geographic Information System (GIS) held within School Organisation, Admissions and Transport. When considering a walking route it is assumed that the pupil will be accompanied as necessary. Where parents are working at the time their child will travel to and from school, it is a parent's duty to make other arrangements for someone to accompany their children as necessary.
Denominational Transport
After a period of consultation, the following changes were agreed by Cabinet at their meeting on 18 August 2010 to take effect from September 2011.
* Pupils starting at denominational primary and secondary schools in the 2011/2012 school year onwards will no longer be offered free travel to their school except for those who are statutorily entitled to free travel (on the grounds of low income, or where the denominational school is their nearest school and over the statutory walking distance).
* Those pupils who benefit from free travel under the Council's denominational transport policy as at July 2011 will continue to receive free travel whilst they remain at their then current primary or secondary school or until they move address.
* Students who are not entitled to free travel may be able to purchase a temporary vacant seat pass if the school bus has vacant seats that are not needed by entitled pupils. The charge for 2010/11 is £410 per pupil per school year, which can be paid by instalments. The charge for 2011/12 has been set at £430 per pupil which can be paid by instalments. The intention is that the Council's subsidy for such travel be phased out by 2015 (for secondary schools) and 2017 (for primary schools). Cabinet confirmed its commitment to work with schools, parents, other bodies and transport operators to seek to ensure that accessible and sustainable travel continues to be available for pupils attending faith schools.
When your child is due in September to start full time school for the first time, earlier in that year you will receive a letter advising you at which school your child has been offered a place. If your child is entitled to free transport an application form will be sent with your offer letter.
For students moving in September to a secondary or middle school, if your child is entitled to free transport under normal distance grounds as outlined above in 'Transport for statutory school age pupils (up to and including year group 11)' , a pass would automatically be sent to their existing school during the end of the summer term in the year they are due to move school. However, parents should also take note of the entitlement outlined below under 'Income Assessed Transport' for which an application would need to be made by the parent/carer.
Applications for transport at other times of the year should be made using the application form below (Form A). It may take up to 20 working days after receipt of your application to arrange transport, and you will be expected to make and pay for your own travel arrangements during this time. Your completed application form should be sent to the School Admissions and Transport Service, Tipping Street, Stafford, ST16 2DH
Form A transport application Word version|
Form A transport application .PDF version|
Income assessed transport
From September 2008 children of secondary school age (aged 11 to 16, school year 7 to 11) from low income families will have an additional entitlement to income assessed transport assistance to either
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one of the three nearest suitable schools to where you live that is more than 2 miles, but less than 6 miles from your home, or
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the nearest school that is more than 2 miles but less than 15 miles from your home, preferred on the grounds of the parent's religious or philosophical beliefs. The parent must be able to demonstrate adherence to the faith of that school if it is a denominational school.
Low income groups are defined as those who are entitled to, and registered for, free school meals (for more information |see the free school meal pages), or are in receipt of the maximum level of Working Tax Credit.
Upon receipt of your application we will check our records to confirm that you are registered as eligible for free school meals. Proof of receipt of maximum Working Tax Credit should accompany your application form (a copy of your most recent Tax Credit Award Notice form TC602 or a letter from the Benefits Agency confirming receipt of maximum Working Tax Credit).
To apply for transport under philosophical or religious grounds, written supporting evidence should also be provided as to how and why the school meets your philosophical or religious beliefs. The term 'belief' has to be more than an opinion or idea held by the parent. Based upon European case law, a belief must be genuinely held, and attain a certain level of cogency, seriousness, cohesion and importance.
The following examples do not meet the requirements for the provision of transport on faith or philosophical grounds -
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the wish to have a child educated at a particular category of school (for example a grant maintained school or grammar school)
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the wish for a child to be taught in a particular language
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a belief that a child should be privately educated
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objections to rules requiring that a school uniform must be worn
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the belief that a particular school will provide a better level of education
If it is a denominational school, the parent must be able to demonstrate adherence to the faith of that school. For Catholic schools, a copy of the Catholic Certificate of Baptism or Certificate of Reception for the child should be provided as proof of adherence to the Catholic faith.
Parents should apply in writing, using the application form below (Form B).
Form B income assessed transport application Word version|
| Form B income assessed transport application .PDF version|
It may take up to 20 working days after receipt of your application to arrange transport, and you will be expected to make and pay for your own travel arrangements during this time.
Please note for income assessed transport assistance:
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An annual re-assessment of eligibility will be made.
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If family financial circumstances change and so the pupil no longer meets the eligibility criteria above, transport will be withdrawn at the end of the academic year.
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where a pupil on income assessed transport no long qualifies under the mileage criteria to a change of address, transport assistance may be withdrawn immediately. Parents would then become responsible for making arrangements to ensure their child attends school
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In light of this, parents must therefore note that there is no guarantee that free transport will be provided throughout their child's secondary education.
For what other reasons would you consider providing transport assistance?
If you wish to apply for transport assistance under any of the following categories, you should do so by completing Form A above.
Moving address
When moving address parents should give consideration to the transport arrangements for their child.
If your son or daughter already receives transport and you move address, please return the travel pass to the Integrated Transport and Planning Unit, Riverway, Stafford, ST16 3TJ.
If your child will still be attending the correct catchment or closest school for your new address, please make a new application for transport support using Form A. To find the catchment school please use the localview webpage|.
If a pupil moves address and so no longer attends the catchment or closest school for their new address, the pupil is no longer entitled to free transport. We would expect you to transfer your child to the closest or catchment school serving your new address, or make your own transport arrangements to continue attending the existing school.
However, if your new address in within Staffordshire, your move was due to exceptional circumstances, and the pupil was attending the catchment or closest school for your last address, the Authority may consider offering transport assistance - an application should be made using Form A and you must attach evidence of your exceptional circumstances.
Medical reasons
If a pupil who is attending their correct catchment or closest school is unable to walk to school due to a medical reason and you can provide supporting written medical evidence from your GP or hospital that they are unable to walk to school and the likely period of incapacity, transport assistance may be provided. To apply for assistance please complete Form A attaching your supporting medical evidence.
For children of primary school age, transport may also be considered if both parents' medical conditions prevent them from accompanying their child on their journey to school. Again, an application should be made in writing using Form A and providing supporting medical evidence.
Where transport is provided under medical grounds the case will be reviewed on a regular basis and continued supporting medical evidence will be requested.
Special circumstances
Individual consideration will be given to pupils who do not meet the criteria set out above. You must provide written details of any special circumstances you want to be considered. Please note individual family work commitments are not normally taken into account when considering eligibility for transport assistance.
If you feel that transport should be provided as you consider that the walking route is unavailable, please be aware that a route is assessed on the basis that the pupil will be accompanied by an adult as necessary. You will find below the walking route assessment criteria which is used by the County Council when considering if a route is available. If you consider that a walking route is unavailable then you must provide full details of the particular sections of the route that you feel are unavailable and the reasons why. We will only consider eligiblity for free transport on the basis of an unavailable route if it is your closest or catchment area school.
walking route assessment criteria - Word version|
walking route assessment criteria - .PDF version|
What type of transport assistance will be offered?
Transport assistance will normally take the form of either:-
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A place on a contracted vehicle hired by the Authority, or
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A travel pass for public transport, or
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The payment of travelling expenses (this might include the reimbursement of bus or train fares, or a petrol or cycling allowance at a rate determined by the Authority)
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Staffordshire County Council may change the type of assistance offered to make the best use of resources
Generally, children may be required to walk (or be accompanied by parents if they feel it is appropriate) up to one mile to or from a designated pick up/drop off point. The Authority will determine which type of transport assistance will be offered, and may change the type of transport provided from a seat on a hired school bus, to a seat on a public service bus or train, or vice versa
Right to review
A parent has a right to a review of a decision that free transport is not available. If you wish to request a review please write to the County Commissioner for School Organisation and Planning at Tipping Street, Stafford, ST16 2DH providing full details and any supporting evidence that you feel should be taken into account.
Behaviour and safety on school transport
For information relating to behaviour and safety on home to school transport, please see our 'Your child's safety' page|.
Not entitled to transport assistance?
If you are thinking of using public transport have you considering using the 'Your Staffordshire' card? The card is free of charge to any Staffordshire resident under the age of 20 and allows travel on public buses when the journey starts or ends in Staffordshire at £1 per journey. More information and how to apply can be found on the 'Your Staffordshire' card website|.
For more information on public transport| please call Traveline on 0871 2002233
For assistance with journey planning including both bus and rail information the website www.transportdirect.info| may be of assistance
For website addresses and contact details for Staffordshire schools www.education.staffordshire.gov.uk/Directories/|
Where a vehicle hired by the Authority has more seats than are needed for pupils entitled to free or subidised transport, places may be made available to other pupils under the Temporary Vacant Seat Scheme|.
Parents may want to look at the 'stepping up to high school'| information to help them decide the most appropriate way to travel. It also includes information about staying safe whether walking to school, cycling, using public transport or travelling by car. It has been written particularly for those moving up to high school but may be useful to parents and students of any age.
Post 16 transport
Entitlement to free transport ends once the child has completed their compulsory education (the end of year 11). For information and application forms for travel to sixth form or college, please see our post 16 transport webpages|.
Post 16 students may find that the 'Your Staffordshire' card is the best way of you getting to school or college. The card is free of charge to any Staffordshire resident under the age of 20 and allows travel on public buses when the journey starts or ends in Staffordshire at £1 per journey. More information and how to apply can be found on the 'Your Staffordshire' card website|.
Below is the Staffordshire County Council Post 16 Local Authority Transport Statement for 2011/12.
Staffordshire post 16 transport statement 2011-12| (1.17 MB)
|Staffordshire post 16 transport statement 2011-12| (540 kb)
Consultation is being held between 13 December 2011 and 1 February 2012 on proposed changes to the post 16 transport policy for September 2012 onwards. Please see our consultation page| for more information.
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