School Transport - Mainstream schools

Free school transport is generally restricted to pupils who attend their catchment area school and live the necessary distance from school.

Local Education Authority's have a statutory duty to provide free school transport for pupils of statutory school age who reside beyond "walking distance" to the nearest appropriate school. The Council does not provide free school transport for Nursery age children other than some of those with a Statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN).

The law relating to walking distance is defined as two miles for pupils under eight and three miles for pupils aged eight and over, measured by the nearest available route.

However the Vale of Glamorgan Council has used its discretionary powers and provides free school transport for pupils as follows:

• for primary age pupils residing over 2 miles from their nearest designated catchment area school
• for secondary age pupils residing over three miles from their nearest designated catchment area secondary school. This distance criterion currently applies to post 16 pupils

If your child qualifies for free school transport permission will normally be given to travel on a special contract vehicle if there is one serving your area. In other cases a bus pass will be provided to travel on the service network.

However, school transport will not be provided if, as a result of parental preference, your child attends another school other than the nearest school or designated catchment area school. In these circumstances parents will accept full responsibility for transport costs and arrangements.

Review of Post 16 Transport Policy – Please note that the authority is currently reviewing and consulting upon the removal of free post 16 travel for students living over three miles to their nearest or designated sixth form school and further education establishments for the academic year 2010/11. Post 16 travel provision is non-statutory and therefore parents and students are strongly advised to contact the Local Education Authority on 01446 709727 for further clarification and information on this matter before making decisions in respect of sixth form and further education choices for September 2010.

For further details and policy documentation concerning Mainstream School Transport-

School Transport - Policy and provision.

Details and policy documentation concerning Special Educational Needs School Transport- School Transport - Special Educational Needs.

Any complaints, comments or queries regarding the provision of mainstream home to school transport provision should be submitted to: -

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Planning and Transportation Division

Public Transport Unit, Dock Offices

Barry Docks, Barry

Vale of Glamorgan. CF63 4RT

Tel: 01446 704664 / 646 / 687

Fax: 01446 704891

Email: mailto:planning&transport@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk