Secondary

For secondary September applications, if the application is not received by 31 May, the authority may be unable to provide transport from the beginning of the autumn term and parents/carers will need to make their own transport arrangements. Access to school transport is not permitted until entitlement has been confirmed.

We provide free school transport for pupils who are:

• of compulsory school age, year 7 through to the end of year 11
  
• attending the nearest or catchment area school for the home address
  
• Living three miles or more from the nearest or catchment area school for secondary aged pupils, measured using the shortest available pedestrian route from where the home address meets the public highway to the nearest available entrance to the school grounds
  
• medical pupil / parent will be considered for a pupil who is attending the nearest or catchment area school but living less than the statutory walking distance to school, where a medical condition prohibits a child walking to school or a parent accompanying a child to school. Medical evidence will be required. 
  
• unsafe walking routes transport will be provided to those attending their nearest or catchment area school, but who are living less than the statutory walking distance to school, if the route has been assessed as ‘unsafe’ by the Authority and there is no alternative route available within the statutory walking distance
  
• Examination Grounds will be considered where a child moves address during years 10 or 11. To qualify, pupils must have been attending the nearest or catchment area school for their previous home address prior to changing address. The distance between the new home address and the school will be three miles or more, but no more than ten miles. Assistance is provided on existing transport, bespoke transport is not provided.

In addition to this transport assistance can be considered for secondary aged pupils, from low-income families, if both of the following applies:

• are in Year 7 to Year 11 and attend one of their three nearest suitable schools and live more than two miles, but less than six miles, from the school
  
• the child is in receipt of free school meals or the parents/carers are in receipt of maximum working tax credit
  

Before applying, please read the guidance notes, which provide further information about the eligibility criteria.

Applications can be submitted online by following the link below, over the phone with the Customer Service Team on 0345 678 9008 or, if you’d prefer, you can download the paper version of the application form.

There is no set time frame for applications to be processed although, we aim to respond within two weeks. Applications made during the spring/summer terms for transport to start in September, will take longer to be processed, due to the volume of applications being received.

Applicants with a 'statement of special educational needs' or an 'education, health and care plan' must apply through our SEN team. Click on the 'Go to SEN transport now' button to access these application pages.

More information