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Home: Children and families: Parents and carers

School transport

Directorate for Children & Young People - July 2011
school.transport@kirklees.gov.uk

When is assistance with school transport given?
In Kirklees, we normally only provide free home to school transport if the following conditions apply:
  • the school is the nearest suitable and available school to the child's permanent home address; and
  • the journey is over two miles (over three miles after Year 3). We will measure distances along the nearest available walking route.
We will also consider applications from low income families, that is, families receiving free school meals or maximum level Working Tax Credit.

For thos pupils the following conditions apply:
  • the school is one of their nearest three qualifying schools; and
  • the journey is more than two miles. We will measure distances along the nearest available walking route.
We will also consider applications from families on the grounds of religion or belief if the following conditions apply:
  • the school is the nearest suitable school preferred on grounds of religion or belief; and
  • the journey is more than two miles, but not more than 15 miles. We will measure distances along the nearest available walking route and for greater distances along roads.
Further clarity about religion or belief can be found in the Transport Policy.

Pupils who have a statement of special educational need (SEN) wil receive transport free regardless of distance if:
  • transport is specified in Section 4 of the statement; and
  • the child is attending the nearest appropriate school named in the statement
  • the child has a physical or medical condition that prevents them from walking (accompanied as necessary)
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Other conditions
Where the authority is not able to admit a child to the nearest suitable and available school, help will be provided to the next nearest suitable and available school, subject to the distance to school exceeding two miles (over three miles after Year 3).

This rule will only apply where your nearest suitable and available school was listed as one of your preferences.

Free transport usually means a free bus pass, a place on a hired coach or the refund of fares. These arrangements are renewed yearly. New applications for free school travel should be made using the T/A1 form which is available above or from schools and the Transport Section
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Appeals
You can appeal against our decision not to provide free transport. If you are the parent or carer of a school-age child, you should contact us.
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Ensuring safe travel on school transport
All children have the right to safe and trouble free travel. You have a key role in helping your child to understand the importance of correct behaviour on school transport. We ask for your cooperation with school and the local authority in this matter.

What can parents expect from the local authority?

  • We will provide safe and trouble free transport for your child
  • We will respond to bus pass requests within 7 days
  • Pupils who qualify for a bus pass will receive it within 3 weeks of the application being received in the Pupil Support Transport Section.
  • We will replace lost or stolen bus passes within 7 days of the loss being reported to the Pupil Support Transport Section.
  • Failure by the LEA to meet these deadlines will entitle you to reclaim travel expenses incurred by you.

What would the local authority like parents of children receiving assistance with school transport to do?

  • We would like you to encourage your child to behave well on school transport
  • We would like you to cooperate with the school, Kirklees Council and the operator if your child is having any problems
  • We would like you to make other arrangements for your child to travel to school if transport is withdrawn, because of your child's conduct.

What does the local authority expect from your child?

  • We expect them to carry their pass/ticket with them on each journey
  • The child must stay seated whilst the bus is moving
  • This is for their own safety and the safety of other passengers
  • They use the seatbelts that are provided on every journey
  • That they are polite to other bus users and behave appropriately; Behaviour of children, where the safety of others is put at risk, or damage is caused to property of others, can result in temporary or permanent withdrawal of transport
  • Parents may also be requested to pay for any damage their child has caused.
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Contact details
Transport team
Home to School Transport
Kirkgate Buildings
2nd Floor
Byram Street
Huddersfield
HD1 1BY

Tel: 01484 225263 or 01484 225277 or 01484 225262
Fax: 01484 225264
Email: school.transport@kirklees.gov.uk or free.buspasses4schools@kirklees.gov.uk
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