All children between the ages of 5 and 16 may qualify for free school travel assistance if they go to their nearest suitable school and live at least:

• 2 miles from the school, if they are under the age of 8 years old
• 3 miles from the school, if they are 8 years old or older

Should a non-compulsory school aged child be approved for travel assistance using our discretionary powers they would always be offered a Personal Transport Budget (PTB) or mileage reimbursement. The only exception to this would be following a discussion with the assessment officer and that evidence based on your exceptional circumstance is provided.

Parents and carers have a legal duty to ensure that their statutory school-aged children (age 5 to 16) attend school regularly.

A child becomes of compulsory school age at the start of term after their fifth birthday and ceases to be compulsory school age on the last day of the academic year in which they are in year 11. This applies to both children with and without an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

There are four core categories of eligible children set out in law:

• children living beyond the statutory walking distance from school
• children who cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school due to unsafe walking routes
• children who cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school due to special educational needs, disability, and mobility problems
• children from low-income families who have extended rights to travel assistance (for more information on eligibility, read free school meals)

In accordance with the Council’s statutory duty, children under the age of 5 will not be entitled to travel assistance between their home and school. Where circumstances exist where the Council determines that travel assistance is necessary it may exceptionally apply its discretionary powers on a case-by-case basis.

Please complete all relevant sections of this application. Any missing or incorrect information may delay the processing and/or qualification for travel assistance.

Travel assistance comes in many forms such as:

• personal transport budget (ptb)
• bus pass/ticket or funding for travel on public transport
• training to travel independently (walking and using public transport)
• mileage reimbursement
• provision of a walking escort
• provision of a vehicle (minibus, car, taxi)

The travel assessment officers will determine the most suitable form of travel assistance based upon the information provided along with a fully completed application form.

By completing this application form you’re giving us permission to discuss the child it applies to with:

• the school
• Special Educational Needs Assessment Team (for those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP))
• any other relevant department that may hold information required in the assessment of this application

Home to school transport policy

The Home to school transport policy policy explains who’s entitled to free home to school travel arrangements and why.

Travel assistance policy for 0 to 25 year-olds in education

The travel assistance policy outlines travel assistance for children, young people, adults, parents and carers that will come into affect from September 2025.