Home to School Transport
for students under the age of the 16
Does my child qualify for transport assistance?
To qualify for transport assistance you must meet the following criteria:
1) You are resident in Warwickshire
2) Your child is attending the nearest qualifying school to home. This is the school in whose priority area you live, or another if nearer to home by the shortest walking route.
The walking distance (using the shortest walking route) from your home to the nearest qualifying school is over:
i) Two miles for children under the age of 8 years
ii) Three miles for children aged 8 –16
What about transport to Church Schools?
Transport assistance may be available to the nearest Roman Catholic or Church of England Aided School. You or your child will need to have been accepted into that faith (proof may be required) and / or regularly practice that faith. The school must be your nearest Roman Catholic or Church of England Aided School, and should meet the distance criteria shown above. For primary school children, the distance from home to school should not exceed six miles, and for secondary school children, should not exceed fifteen miles. However, if the distance from Home to School exceeds fifteen miles, and the school is within Warwickshire, transport may be granted.
Is any extra help available for low-income families?
If your child is entitled to free school meals, or your family is in receipt of the maximum level of Working Tax Credit, free transport will normally be provided for:
Children aged 8-11, attending the nearest qualifying school to home, provided it is more than two miles (by the shortest available walking route)
Children aged 11-16, attending one of their three nearest qualifying schools, provided it is more than two miles (by the shortest available walking route), but not more than six miles (by motorised route) from their home. (From September 2008)
Children aged 11-16, attending the nearest qualifying school which accords with the parents’ religion or belief, provided it is more than two miles (by the shortest available walking route), but not more than fifteen miles (by motorised route) from their home. (From September 2008)
What do you mean by ‘Walking Distance and Walking Route’?
These are not necessarily the shortest distance by road, but are measured by the shortest route along which a child, accompanied as necessary, may walk with reasonable safety. As such, the route measured may include footpaths, bridleways, and other pathways, as well as recognised roads.
Walking Distance will be measured from the home boundary gate to the nearest school gate.
What do you mean by ‘Motorised Route’?
These are those routes which are passable by using a suitable motorised vehicle. Paths and roads not passable by motorised transport will not therefore be considered. Measurements will be made by the Authority’s Education Transport Office using the Travel Manager Software package, or other appropriate measurement system used by the Authority at that time.
How do I apply?
If you would like to apply for help with transport, please complete an application form.
To print a form for the 2008-2009 academic year, please click here.
Alternatively call 01926 742059 or 01926 742051 (Mon - Thurs 9.00 - 5.00, Fri 9.00 - 4.30) or email: educationtransport@warwickshire.gov.uk
What route will my child be allocated to and when does it operate?
To find out more about transport routes and timetables, click here.
Is there any help available if my child does not qualify for free assistance?
In some cases there is an option to receive transport under Warwickshire County Council's Vacant Seats Scheme. Payment will be required. Please click here to find out more.
Any Questions?
If you have any questions about Home to School Transport, or Warwickshire County Council's Home to School Transport Policy, please contact the Education Transport Office. (Details above).