Frequently asked questions: Home to School Transport policy changes consultation, 2024
My child currently uses home to school transport. How will the proposed changes impact me?
All proposed changes to our existing policy will only apply to new applications. This is to align with the statutory guidance which states ‘wherever possible, local authorities should phase in changes so that children who begin attending a school under one set of travel arrangements continue to benefit from those arrangements until they leave that school’.
Who will the ‘nearest school’ proposal apply to?
The change to ‘nearest school’ has no effect on students who attend a school based on their needs which is named in their education, health and care plan (EHCP).
If my child’s nearest school is oversubscribed and they attend a council school that is further away, will they be entitled to school transport?
Where a child’s nearest school is oversubscribed and unable to offer them a place, the nearest school with places available is their nearest suitable school for school travel purposes. A child’s nearest school may be in a neighbouring local authority area.
How will this policy impact siblings?
Pupils can still apply to or attend their preferred school, but if it is not their nearest school then they won’t be entitled to school transport. This may affect the siblings of current pupils, as the proposed change would affect pupils applying for school places and transport from 2025. This is still an area that may have to be explored further based on the results of the consultation.
Please can you explain the difference between admissions, transport and a school’s catchment area?
Applying for a school place for your child is not the same as applying for home to school transport. When you apply for a school place you can make a preference for which school you would like your child to attend. For home to school transport you will need to make a separate application, and under the new proposed change transport will be available to the nearest school with available places and appropriate age range.
What is an independent travel training (ITT) scheme and how will this make savings for the council?
The aim of an independent travel training (ITT) scheme is to enhance our provision and ensure we have services in place to support our young people’s independence. The intention is to carry out a pilot scheme, and the learnings from that will be used to develop a local scheme.
Will I qualify for the government’s bursary to contribute to transport costs for 16 to 19 year olds?
The bursary uses the same criteria for low income as the school transport service, so if you didn't qualify through the bursary, you would not qualify through our services either.
You have stated that a policy runs for the life a student is at the school with no changes. Does that apply to sixth form aged students as well?
No, concessionary travel is not guaranteed, if you had it for compulsory age it doesn’t mean its guaranteed for sixth form or all the way through sixth form it depends on spare seat availability.
How is the nearest school distance measured?
According to Department for Education (DfE) guidance, ‘nearest school’ should be measured according to the shortest walking route. Where a school is beyond walking distance, then the shortest road route or straight-line distance will be used.
Will I be entitled to school transport if my nearest school is outside Central Bedfordshire?
Yes, provided the eligibility criteria are met.
Will I be entitled to school transport if there is no safe walking route to my nearest school?
Yes.
When are the school transport policy consultation engagement dates?
Find out more about the engagement events.
I would like to know what my nearest school is and whether I will be eligible for school transport.
Please send your postcode and whether the pupil will attend lower/primary, middle, upper/secondary school to htst.consultation@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk and the team will be able to let you know your nearest school.
What is the timeline for the policy changes?
- 6 February 2024: Early notification to schools via Central Essentials
- 7 February – 3 April 2024: the consultation is open
- 27 February 2024: discussion at Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee
- August 2024: Executive to consider the consultation results and recommendations
- from September 2025: Policy changes effective (in year school applications from September 2024)