National and local eligibility criteria

National criteria

We have to provide travel assistance to four categories of eligible children if they are of compulsory school age and they attend their nearest qualifying school: 

1. Children who live outside the statutory walking distance

Children registered at a school outside walking distance where no suitable arrangements have been made for them to attend a nearer school. Statutory walking distance is 2 miles for children under the age of 8 or 3 miles for children and young people aged 8 to 16.

2. Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or a mobility difficulty

Children registered at a school within statutory walking distance of their home but who cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school, because of their special education needs and disabilities (SEND) or mobility difficulty, and no suitable arrangements have been made for them to attend a nearer school. 

3. Children whose route to school is unsafe

Children registered at a school within statutory walking distance of their home but having regard to the nature of the route cannot reasonably be expected to walk, and no suitable arrangements have been made for them to attend a nearer school. 

4. Children from low income families (extended rights apply)

Children who receive free school meals or their parent/carers are in receipt of the maximum amount of working tax credit get travel assistance if: 

  • the school is more than 2 miles from home (for children aged 8-11)
  • the school is between 2 and 6 miles from home (for children aged 11-16)
  • the school is between 2 and 15 miles from home and is the nearest preferred on the grounds of religion or belief (for children aged 11-16)

Definition of a qualifying school

The nearest qualifying school is the school nearest the child’s home that has places available that provides education appropriate to the age and ability of the child, and any SEN that the child may have. If parent/carers choose a more distant school, travel assistance will not be provided unless the extended rights for low income families apply. This definition is part of the statutory guidance which all local authorities must follow. 

Additional local criteria

In addition to providing travel assistance to children who meet the national eligibility criteria, we have some additional local criteria to support other groups of pupils. 

A.   Children attending a grammar school

We do not have a duty to provide free travel assistance to children attending grammar school where the grammar school is not the nearest qualifying school. Under our current policy we will provide travel assistance to a child attending the nearest grammar school for which they are eligible. Under this criteria, a child is not classed as being eligible for a grammar school if they are not successful in the selection process for that school or where they are unable to gain a place due to the lack of availability of places. Children who attend a grammar school that is not the nearest grammar school for which they are eligible will not receive travel assistance unless they are from a low income family. 

B.   Primary age children attending a denominational school

There is no statutory duty to provide travel assistance to support primary school aged children to attend a denominational school. However, we will provide travel assistance to children from low incomes families who are registered at a denominational school which is between 2 and 15 miles from their home if your preference for that school is based on religion or beliefs and having regard to those beliefs there is no suitable qualifying school which is nearer home. 

C.   Children starting reception class

Compulsory school age starts on the 1 September, 1 January or 1 April after a child’s 5th birthday. However, most children start school in reception class in the September after their 4th birthday. Travel assistance applications will be accepted for these children if they meet the eligibility criteria for a child of compulsory school age. 

D.   Pre-school children aged 2 to 4 years (chargeable)

Pre-school children may be eligible for travel assistance if they have an education, health and care (EHC) plan or they are undergoing an EHC needs assessment and are placed at a primary special school. To be considered eligible, there must be medical or social reasons why the child cannot attend the place without travel assistance. If travel assistance is awarded for a pre-school aged child, the family is charged for this assistance. 

 

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