somerset.gov.uk Apply For School Transport : County Council

Name of the Organization : Somerset County Council
Type of Facility : Apply For School Transport
Country : United Kingdom

Website : https://www.somerset.gov.uk/

Apply For School Transport :

** Important school transport information for parents and carers of students attending Robert Blake Science College who live in the North Petherton area.

Related : Somerset County Council Apply For A Blue Badge : www.statusin.org/25141.html

** We provide home to school transport for eligible children at the start and end of the school day.
** Transport is provided to primary and secondary schools, special schools, schools affiliated to a faith, further educational establishments/colleges and pupil referral units.

** We may be able to help some children who don’t qualify for free school transport by offering a spare seat on a vehicle on a paying basis.
** Please use the apply now button below if you think you are entitled to free transport.
** If you are interested in transport on a paying basis see the page

Please note:
** where ‘transport area’ is referred to this is defined as the school catchment areas as at September 2012.
** School transport entitlement to a particular school can sometimes change depending on which year the child is in and which the nearest school to their home address is for that year group.
** If a child is assessed as not being entitled to free school transport it is the parents’ responsibility to re-apply later if they think this may have changed.
** Parents will not be told about a change in entitlement.

The raising of the participation age :
** The Government requires young people to participate in education and training once they have finished their compulsory secondary education – you can find a quick guide here
** The law does not increase the statutory school leaving age. Only young people of statutory school age (aged 4 to 15 on 1 September 2013) are eligible for free school transport, subject to our transport policy.

** If you need transport to school or college for a year 12 or 13 pupil please choose one of the related services pages on the right.
** We will assess your application for school transport once we have received confirmation from the school that your child has been granted a place.
** There are some discretionary grounds where transport will be provided in exceptional circumstances (for example, medical or social need) although there are very strict criteria. Please make your request in writing.**

Who can use it :
** Free school transport is provided to children between the ages of 4 and 16 years who attend their nearest school or the school in the transport area for their home address, and who live over the statutory walking distance from that school.
** This is two miles for children aged under eight and three miles for children aged eight and over.
** It is also provided to children attending a pupil referral unit, providing the distance criteria is met, and in some cases for children with a statement up to the age of 19, attending a maintained special school.

Special Educational Needs :
** We provide transport assistance for students aged 16 to 19 with special educational needs, such as a physical or mental disability, who cannot make their own way to their further educational establishment.
** Transport is provided to students who cannot live independently or in lodgings to be nearer their college and who cannot be taken by their parents or carers.
** When we receive an application from a student with special educational needs going to a college,

we consider the following criteria to reach a decision about providing transport :
** Whether the student is applying for transport to their nearest relevant further educational establishment offering their chosen or comparable course;
** Whether the student can use a public service vehicle (the lack of a public service vehicle is not in itself a reason for individual transport being provided);

** Whether the student is a Somerset resident;
** The age and needs of the student and the benefits they will get from the course; and
** The length of the journey.
** We will also consider applications from students with special educational needs aged 19 to 21 and, in exceptional circumstances, from students over 21.

Low income families :
For children from low income families, free school transport is available under certain circumstances :
** Children aged between 8 and 11 will receive transport to their nearest school if it is between 2 and 3 miles.
** Children aged between 11 and 16 who live between 2 and 6 miles from the school and attend one of the three nearest schools will receive free school transport.
** For these purposes, middle schools are classified as a primary school and a low income is defined as any child who qualifies for pupil premium funding or families receiving their maximum level of Working Tax Credit.

Entitlement to pupil premium funding is defined as :
** Income Support
** Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
** Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

** Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
** The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
** Child Tax Credit, provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190.
** We regularly review benefit information to make sure your child still qualifies for reduced rate or free transport.

How much does it cost?
Transport is provided free of charge :
** to eligible pupils travelling to a school;
** to eligible pupils travelling to a pupil referral unit;
** to pupils travelling under exceptional grounds as stated in the school transport policy; and

** to eligible students with special educational needs attending a college.
** For pupils attending a school of faith or belief, parents are expected to pay a contribution for transport each year.
** This fee is not applied if you can provide proof that the child is from a low income family.