Home to School Transport
If your child is due to start a new school it is important to consider transport options before you make your application. Essex County Council’s Education Transport Policy can be viewed online at www.essex.gov.uk/schooltransport.
Essex County Council will provide free home to school transport:
· For children up to the age of 8 (until the end of year 3) who live 2 miles or more from their nearest available school to their home address.
· For children aged eight and above (years 4-11) who live 3 miles or more from their nearest available school to their home address.
· For children in years 4-6 from low income families (those who are entitled to free school meals, or whose family’s annual taxable household income is less than £16,190) who live 2 miles or more from their nearest available school to their home address.
· For children aged 11-16 (school years 7 – 11) from low-income families to one of their three nearest schools where that school is between two and six miles from their home address.
Your ‘nearest’ school may not be the same as your ‘catchment’ school – to find out which school ECC considers to be your nearest school for transport purposes, send an email to: educationawards@essex.gov.uk stating your child’s name and address.
Cycle allowance – an allowance of £50 per term may be paid to parents of secondary age children who are entitled to free transport but wish to cycle to school, where the cost of transport would exceed the amount of the cycle allowance. Allowances are not payable to children travelling on any other form of transport.
Cycle Purchase Scheme – Instead of issuing yearly bus passes, ECC may make a one-off allowance of up to £250 to purchase a bicycle, safety kit, (e.g. helmet, fluorescent jacket etc.), and road safety training, on the understanding that certain conditions are met. (For more information see ECC Education Transport Policy).
Public Bus Services – most public bus services running in Essex are now commercial services. For timetable information see http://www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk/ or contact the provider directly.
Post 16 Transport – subsidised transport may be available for families on low incomes. For details of ECC policy see www.essex.gov.uk/schooltransport.
The government has established 16-19 bursary funds, administered by schools and colleges directly, through which young people can access up to £1,200 for support with expenses. These are intended for students from low income families and those with disabilities (as well as those from care) and are handled by schools and colleges directly, not ECC. More information is available at www.gov.uk
Uttlesford Citizens Advice aim to provide the advice people need for the problems they face and also campaign for improvement to the policies and practices that affect people’s lives.
