We publish school transport policies to explain who can get help with travel to school or college, and how we make decisions.
There are separate policies for children under 16 and for young people aged 16 to 25.
Under 16 travel assistance policy
This policy explains:
- who qualifies for free travel to school
- how we assess distance, safety and income
- what happens if your child has an education, health and care plan (EHCP)
- how to apply and what to do if your circumstances change
Read the under 16 travel assistance policy
Post-16 travel assistance policy
This policy explains:
- how we assess applications for students aged 16 to 25
- what support is available for students with special educational needs or disabilities
- how we consider bursaries, course availability and journey times
- when financial contributions apply and how to request a waiver
Read the post-16 travel assistance policy
When we review policies
We update our travel assistance policies every year. The latest versions are published by 31 May before the new academic year begins.
Statutory school age guidance from the Department for Education says:
Local authorities should keep their school travel policy under regular review to make sure it meets local needs and follows the law.
An up-to-date policy must be available by 19 September each year so parents can use it when choosing schools during the normal admissions round.