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Education Travel Policy

Introduction

For the academic years 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26

This applies to:

  • schools and other education settings in Devon or with Devon residents on their roll
  • the Transport Co-ordination Service of Devon County Council
  • all parents and carers of Devon-resident children of statutory school age or rising 5s seeking transport assistance to and from an education setting

Description of policy

This policy describes how eligibility for transport to and from education settings will be determined and how transport will be provided.

General information and contacts

Date determined: 8 March 2023
Review date: Annual
Approval: by cabinet members of Devon County Council
Key partners: Devon Association of Primary Headteachers, Devon Association of Secondary Headteachers, Devon Association of Governors, Church of England Diocese of Exeter, Roman Catholic Diocese of Plymouth, School Admissions Service
Author: Senior Policy Officer
schoolsadmissionpolicy-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
Sponsors: Donna Manson Chief Executive
Julian Wooster, Interim Director of Children and Young People’s Futures

Other contacts

Department for Education or 08700 000 2288

Summary

Devon County Council (the LA) has a statutory duty to provide free home to school transport for some children of compulsory school age and discretion whether to provide transport for others. These children are ‘eligible children’.

Eligible children are:

  • children who attend schools beyond the statutory walking distance and the LA has made no ‘suitable arrangements’ for boarding accommodation or attendance at a nearer school
  • children who because of their special educational needs, disability or mobility problems cannot reasonably be expected to walk to their school and no suitable arrangements have been made by the local authority to enable them to attend a nearer school
  • children whose route to the nearest suitable school is unsafe
  • children from low-income families

This guidance sets out Devon’s Education Travel Policy and describes how the LA fulfils its duties and exercises its discretionary powers as required under the Education Act 1996 and subsequent legislation.

Devon will also make decisions with reference to its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant which seeks to redress disadvantage of opportunity with the armed forces community.

There is no universal entitlement to free travel for every child or student to and from any school.

Parents and students aged 16 or over are strongly advised to consider whether there is an entitlement to transport assistance before admission to an education establishment, what would happen if circumstances within the family changed or if the arrangements were no longer available.

Support from the LA for travel to and from education will not necessarily be in the form of a vehicle to transport a child. It may be by enabling the child to walk to and from education through Independent travel training (see glossary) where the child may otherwise not have been capable of doing so. This does not affect any statutory right to free transport.

Where there is no entitlement to support from the LA, parents and students can seek assistance from academies and further education colleges which can use some of their own funds to support transport where they feel this is appropriate. Where support from Devon is not free, it may not be the cheapest option for an individual.

Parents have a legal duty and a responsibility to make necessary arrangements to ensure that their statutory aged children attend school regularly. The LA is required to provide transport to children resident within the administrative area of Devon County Council who are eligible under the law and this policy.

Transport policy will often influence a parent’s decision on admission to school but the two policies are not linked. While most school catchment areas are recognised by Devon for entitlement to free transport, the two policy areas are not automatically linked.

The LA is responsible for making suitable arrangements for all eligible children to travel to school in reasonable safety and comfort so that they arrive without undue stress or difficulty and can benefit from their education.

This is done by making sure that children and young people do not have unnecessarily long journey times and that they are not expected to walk an unreasonably long distance to catch their vehicle.

Drivers and escorts are trained and have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. The vehicles used meet the necessary safety standards and seatbelts are provided wherever possible.

1 Young people aged 16 may submit applications and appeal for travel support in their own name if they wish. This may be the case for young people whose education has been delayed and will be in year 11 in the academic year after they reach 16.

References to parents making applications in this document also include applications by young people aged 16. There is a separate policy for post-16 students in sixth form and at further education colleges.

Key points:

  • No transport is provided automatically. Parents must apply for transport or confirm their wish for it to be provided.
  • The LA will endeavour to contact most primary starters and year 7 secondary transfer pupils. Nevertheless, it remains the parent or young person’s responsibility to seek advice and complete a transport application form by 1 June for a September start.
  • The LA operates clear criteria to decide whether transport will be provided.
  • The LA seeks to provide transport support in as cost-effective and efficient manner as possible so that children who are entitled to transport arrive at school and are able to benefit from education there at the same time as the financial cost to the LA is minimised.
  • There is an appeals process for individual circumstances to be considered for provision beyond the general entitlement detailed in the policy.

The layout of this policy is aimed at helping parents and carers find their way through it if they think they are entitled to free transport to school. It is also intended to support officers in making fair, transparent and consistent decisions regarding entitlement and provision of travel support.

Policy

1. Equality statement

1.1 Devon County Council will only commit to policies and practices which will eradicate discrimination and promote equality for all, regardless of age, gender, disability, religion and belief, race and ethnicity and sexual orientation.

1.2 This policy will be subject to an Equality Impact and Needs Assessment. This assessment will be integral to all future policy and guidance reviews.

2. Safeguarding statement

2.1 Devon County Council and its partners recognise that safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility. Whether their interest is in all young people ‘staying safe’ in all aspects of our services, or whether they are working in specific areas of vulnerability, all staff will have appropriate training and induction so that they understand their roles and responsibilities and are confident in carrying them out.

Schools, settings, children, young people and their parents or carers, or any member of the community should feel secure that they could raise any issues or concerns about the safety or welfare of children and know that they will be listened to and taken seriously. This will be achieved by maintaining an ethos of commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

This is supported by a clear child protection policy, appropriate induction and training, briefings on and discussion of relevant factors and refreshed learning in line with current legislation and guidelines.

2.2 Devon County Council acts as a corporate parent for children in care. This means that the LA has a legal and moral duty to provide the kind of support that any good parents would provide their own children. This policy has been written to comply with this principle.

3. Introduction

3.1 This policy is made by Devon County Council (DCC), the Local Authority (LA) for the County of Devon, acting under the provisions of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 and Sections 508 and 509 of the Education Act 1996. It supersedes any previous agreement or policy. The policy applies to the academic years 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26.

This policy sets out how the LA will meet this statutory duty and provides information about the categories of eligible children, the provision offered and circumstances when assistance is not provided.

There should be no assumption that any discretionary elements of the policy will continue in future policies although Devon’s approach has so far been not to remove provision from children who were receiving support at the point when a change to policy was made.

Where it is necessary or expedient to do so, this policy may be reviewed and will be subject to amendment.

3.2 This policy contains sections that set out entitlement criteria for transport support, and a separate section on how the policy is put into practice, with definitions and guidance.

Parents1 and practitioners should read sections that are relevant to them, including the glossary and guidance, to understand whether children are entitled and how the policy is put into practice.

4. School transport

4.1 Parents must think about how their children will get to and from school over the time they attend a school. Parents have the responsibility for getting their children to and from school unless they are entitled to free transport under this policy. Transport should be one of the factors parents consider when thinking about which school they would like their children to attend.

There is a universal entitlement for eligible children. This means that there is free transport for all children who attend an eligible state-funded mainstream school in years reception to year 11 and who meet the criteria listed below.

Parents must make a formal application for school transport in all cases.

Where there is no entitlement to free transport (see section 5.7), parents are responsible for making arrangement for a child to get to and from school.

5. Who is entitled to school transport?

5.1 The LA will provide free transport to and from school for children of statutory school age 2 who meet the eligibility criteria published in this policy.

The LA will only provide transport support for children whose main residence is in the Devon County Council area, not including the Plymouth City Council or Torbay Council areas.

Free transport will be provided where a formal application has been made and entitlement has been established. Entitlement to school transport on low-income grounds (see sections 5.2 to 5.3) is reviewed each academic year.
A new application must be made whenever a child moves home or moves school.

Entitlement may change due to a change in circumstances such as to the length of the walking route, a measurement error coming to light or when a child reaches the age of eight.

5.2 Children attending mainstream primary schools

Including infant, junior, and all-through schools from reception to year 6.

Children from 4 to 11 years of age are entitled to free transport if they attend a school and live further than a walking distance of two miles if:

  • the school is the nearest available school the child could attend or
  • placed with the agreement of the Devon Inclusion Service at an alternative provision setting following a permanent exclusion from school or because he or she is at risk of permanent exclusion and the alternative provision setting is, therefore, the nearest suitable school or
  • he or she is a looked-after child or previously looked-after child attending the nearest school rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted1

1 By parent, we mean parents, carers or guardians.
2 Children from the start of the term on or after the 5th birthday to the last Friday in June of the academic year during which they reach the 16th birthday.

Children from low-income families are entitled to free transport if they attend the nearest school they could attend and live further than a walking distance of 2 miles from that school throughout their time at primary school.

Discretionary entitlement: For the purposes of home to school transport, the catchment school for the home address that is recognised by the LA will attract free transport. The same distance criteria will apply as for the nearest school.

Discretionary entitlement: The walking distance requirement is reduced from 3 miles to 2 miles for Devon-resident children throughout their time at primary school.

Discretionary entitlement: Children who are below statutory school age who are on roll at a school in a reception class will be considered as if they were of statutory school age.

Discretionary entitlement: Children who cannot otherwise get to and from school because of their own medical condition (see glossary).

Discretionary entitlement: Children who cannot otherwise get to and from school because of their parent’s medical condition.

Discretionary entitlement: For children to attend a non-eligible school on the grounds of exceptional need.

Discretionary entitlement: Children who cannot otherwise get to and from school because they are temporarily rehoused.

Discretionary entitlement: Children for whom a concessionary seat has been purchased.

Discretionary entitlement: Children attending the closest school in Devon where there is a closer school in another LA area.

Discretionary entitlement: Children who remain on the roll of the current school where another school has been opened or reorganised.

Discretionary entitlement: Children of other children who are entitled to school transport.

5.3 Children attending mainstream secondary schools

Including university technical colleges, studio and all-through schools from year 7 to 11.

Children are entitled to free transport if they attend a school and live further than a walking distance of 3 miles if:

  • the school is the nearest available school the child could attend; or
  • placed with the agreement of the Devon Inclusion Service at an alternative provision setting following a permanent exclusion from school or because he or she is considered to be at risk of permanent exclusion and the alternative provision setting is, therefore, the nearest suitable school or
  • he or she is a looked-after child or previously looked-after child attending the nearest school rated good or outstanding by Ofsted

1 Local authorities are required to seek education at good or outstanding schools unless there are exceptional grounds to place in a school that requires Improvement.

Children from low-income families aged from 11 to 16 are entitled to free transport if they attend any one of the nearest 3 schools they could attend and live between 2 and 6 miles from that school.

Children from low-income families who are between 11 and 16 years of age are entitled to free transport if they attend the nearest school they could attend on faith grounds and live between 2 and 15 miles from that school.

Discretionary entitlement: For the purposes of home to school transport, the catchment school for the home address that is recognised by the LA will attract free transport. The same distance criteria will apply as for the nearest school.

Discretionary entitlement: Children who are above statutory school age who are on roll at a school in a Key Stage 4 class will be considered as if they were of statutory school age.

  • he or she is a Looked After Child or Previously Looked After Child attending the nearest school rated good or outstanding by Ofsted

Children from low-income families aged from 11 to 16 are entitled to free transport if they attend any one of the nearest 3 schools they could attend and live between two and six miles from that school.

Children from low-income families who are between 11 and 16 years of age are entitled to free transport if they attend the nearest school they could attend on faith grounds and live between two and 15 miles from that school.

Discretionary entitlement: For the purposes of home to school transport, the catchment school for the home address that is recognised by the LA will attract free transport. The same distance criteria will apply as for the nearest school.

Discretionary entitlement: Children who are above statutory school age who are on roll at a school in a Key Stage 4 class will be considered as if they were of statutory school age.

Discretionary entitlement: Children who cannot otherwise get to and from school because of their own medical condition (see glossary).

Discretionary entitlement: Children who cannot otherwise get to and from school because of their parent’s medical condition.

Discretionary entitlement: For children to attend a non-eligible school on the grounds of exceptional need.

Discretionary entitlement: Children who cannot otherwise get to and from school because they are temporarily absent from home.

Discretionary entitlement: Children who cannot otherwise get to and from school because they are temporarily rehoused.

Discretionary entitlement: Children for whom free transport is agreed on the grounds of educational continuity in Key Stage 4.

Discretionary entitlement: Children for whom a concessionary seat has been purchased.

Discretionary entitlement: Children who remain on the roll of the current school where another school has been opened or reorganised.

Discretionary entitlement: Children of other children who are entitled to school transport.

5.4 Children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)

Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) are entitled to free transport if they attend the nearest school that has been identified as suitable by the 0-25 SEN Team of the LA. The same qualifying distances apply for children of the same age without an EHCP.

5.5 Children with SEN or mobility difficulties

School transport will be provided for a child who could not reasonably be expected to walk to the nearest school (or any one of the three nearest schools for secondary age children from a low income household), even when accompanied by a parent.

Young people in years 12 and above who attend a further education college, or a school sixth form will be entitled to transport support where they have established that they are unable to make transport arrangements without that support. A contribution to the costs incurred by the LA may be required.

A separate Post-16 Education Transport Policy is published by the LA.

5.6 Post-16 students

Young people in years 12 and above who attend a further education college, or a school sixth form will be entitled to transport support where they have established that they are unable to make transport arrangements without that support. A contribution to the costs incurred by the LA may be required.

A separate Post-16 Education Transport Policy is published by the LA.

5.7 Children without an entitlement

Children without an entitlement

  • There is no entitlement to school transport from Devon County Council for children:
  • whose main residence is not in the Devon County Council area
  • are taught elsewhere than at the school at which he or she is on roll,
  • who were entitled but have moved out of the Devon County Council area
  • attending a school as part of a foreign exchange programme
  • attending an induction or taster day (where the child is not on roll)
  • attending school trips
  • accompanying a friend home
  • attending an independent, fee-paying school, unless this is an arrangement made by the LA.
  • attending a boarding school beyond daily travelling distance, unless this is an arrangement made by the LA.

There is no entitlement to a variation in the way transport is provided for children who:

  • attend school on a part-time basis
  • attend late school sessions
  • attend appointments and activities for medical or sports reasons,
  • attend breakfast or after-school clubs

5.8 Where there is no entitlement, a parent may be able to purchase a spare seat on a contracted vehicle if one is available. These ‘concessionary seats’ may be withdrawn at short notice if they are required by a child who has an entitlement to transport or the size of the vehicle changes.

5.9 Some schools may offer their own travel options on a discretionary basis. Parents should discuss this directly with the school.

6. Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

6.1 Children are not entitled to free transport solely on the grounds that they hold an EHCP. A child with an EHCP must meet the same eligibility criteria for free transport that apply to all children attending mainstream schools, unless he or she is unable to do so on the grounds of disability or medical condition.
Parents must make a formal application for school transport in all cases.

6.2 Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) may not be entitled to transport, may use transport available to all or may require a dedicated or specialist vehicle. In some instances, it may be necessary for an escort to accompany the child.

The LA will assess the needs of each child. This will include how the child’s needs can be best met so that transport can be arranged at the lowest possible cost commensurate with meeting the child’s needs.

6.3 A school that is named on the EHCP will be deemed to be the nearest suitable school unless it was named solely as parental preference.

7. What does school transport look like?

7.1 The most cost-effective and appropriate means of travel will be used. This includes public buses, trains and ferries, and contracted coaches, mini-buses and taxis. It could also by the payment of an allowance paid to a parent who will then arrange for transport independently.

Schools and the LA will provide information on walking and cycling routes and the availability of walking buses to primary schools. Most schools produce travel plans, which include information about the different options available to parents for getting their child to school.

7.2 School transport is not necessarily from home to school. The LA will nominate pick-up and drop-off points. Parents and carers should not assume that a child will be picked up or dropped off at home.

Children are expected to make their way from home to a pick-up point and from a drop-off point to home, accompanied as necessary by a parent or other person nominated by the parent.

Pick-up and drop-off points will be on the school grounds or as close to the school as can be managed safely.

7.3 School transport consists of one journey to and one journey from school each day. This will be at the beginning and end of the school’s day.

This may be varied where a child is unable to attend full-time for medical or other reasons or where there is no additional cost in varying the time of the transport.

Transport will not be provided for medical or other appointments or for before or after-school activities.

7.4 Journeys may involve a change of vehicle. Smaller, feeder vehicles may be used to link with larger contract vehicles or with public transport. A public transport route may entail children using more than one bus or a bus and train combination.

7.5 Distances are measured for school transport purposes from the entrance to the home to the nearest entrance to the school site, using the LA’s online mapping system.

Walking distances (see glossary) are measured by the shortest distance a child could walk by road or suitable path in reasonable safety, accompanied as necessary by a parent or other person nominated by the parent. Transport support will not be provided below the two or three mile limit unless the route has been assessed by the LA as ‘unavailable’1.

Distances further than walking distances are measured by the shortest road route, using the LA’s online mapping system for the whole of the route.

1 Or where the child is unable to walk that distance. (see glossary)

7.6 If a walking route is such that a child cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school or to a pick-up point, even when accompanied by a responsible person, then the LA will deem it ‘unavailable’. In assessing a route, the LA will consider guidance issued by Road Safety GB.

Personal security does not form part of the assessment. The LA will assume the child will be accompanied by a responsible adult. There is no requirement for a route to be lit and temporary, occasional closures such as road works or flooding are not taken into account.

7.7 Travel times for children will meet the guidance from central government:

Generally, no more than 45 minutes for primary school children and 75 minutes for secondary school children.

Rural journeys and delays due to weather or traffic conditions may mean a journey exceeds these times. Total journey times will include walking to and from pick-up and drop-off points.

Discretionary entitlement: the travel times for all children at a primary school will be no more than 45 minutes.

Delays due to weather or traffic conditions may mean a journey exceeds these times. Total journey times will include walking to and from pick-up and drop-off points.

7.8 Free transport will be provided as quickly as possible but may not always be available from the first day of attendance.

7.9 Children will be required to carry any bus pass or card that they are issued as proof of entitlement to a free seat or to a concessionary seat on all journeys unless this requirement is waived.

See glossary – No Pass, No Travel

7.10 Children will be required to agree to a code of conduct unless this requirement is waived.

7.11 Transport arrangements may change throughout the time a child uses them. This may be in type of vehicle or the timings.

8. School transport and admissions

8.1 Parental preference for schools may affect entitlement to school transport – if a parent chooses to apply for a school further from home, it could mean that there will be no entitlement to LA transport support from Devon County Council (the LA).

8.2 Distances for school transport purposes are measured along the shortest available route that would be taken to get to school.

Distances for school admission purposes are measured by straight line or as the crow flies. The nearest school for school admission purposes may not be the nearest for school transport purposes.

Parents should consider this when applying for schools and accepting offers. If in any doubt, transport officers will be able to advise parents on entitlement.

8.3 Transport support may be offered if a child has been refused admission to the nearest school and therefore had to attend the next nearest school where a place is available. The nearest school may be outside of the Devon County Council area. Evidence of the refusal may be required.

An application for a school further from home will be taken as a preference not to go to the nearer school. This would affect transport entitlement. Parents must apply for the nearest schools even if they believe they are full so that there will be entitlement to transport to what will be the nearest available school.

8.4 Entitlement to transport for one child does not mean there will be an entitlement for other children in the family, either at the same time or in the future.

If one child is offered a place at the local school but a sibling can only be offered a place at a school further from home, there will be no entitlement to free transport to the further school for the sibling.

A younger sibling will not be entitled to transport to the further school solely on the grounds that the older child attends there.

8.5 Where a child attends a school on faith grounds, entitlement to transport support on faith grounds will rely on evidence that the application referred to this.

This may be by the completion of a faith supplementary information form where one is provided or by the parent stating on the application that a place was sought because of the school’s recognised religious character.

9. Appeals, comments and complaints

9.1 Parents have the right to appeal against a decision not to provide school transport support. This may be to challenge the decision itself, on grounds that the decision was flawed and incorrect under this policy or to appeal that the policy itself be set aside and transport provided.

9.2 Where a transport application is refused, the request for assistance will be reviewed by a second LA officer within the Transport Co-ordination Service. If the request is still refused, there are two tiers of transport appeal:

  • A Transport Eligibility Officer Panel (TEOP)
  • An appeal panel comprised of elected members of the LA.

9.3 An appeal on the grounds that a walking route is unsafe will be considered by:

  • a second LA officer within the Transport Co-ordination Service
  • an appeal panel comprised of LA county councillors.

9.4 The TEOP is the first tier of appeal. It considers requests for free transport where there is no eligibility. It may authorise transport where costs do not exceed upper limits set out in appendix 3. It may refer cases to the elected member who is the portfolio holder for education transport where the upper limit would be exceeded.

It does not consider appeals about the safety of a walking route.

The panel sits weekly as required. It consists of a minimum of four LA officers from the:

  • Transport Eligibility Team
  • Special Needs Transport Eligibility Team
  • 0-25 Special Educational Needs Team
  • TCS Provision Team

    and may also include:
  • Senior Policy Officer (Education)
  • a representative from the School Admissions Service

9.5 A case that is identified as urgent by a transport officer will be considered by at least two of:

  • Transport Manager (policy and appeals)
  • Senior Policy Officer (education)
  • Education Transport Manager (general)
  • another member of the TEOP

It will be referred to the TEOP if unresolved.

9.6 The TEOP will not reconsider a case unless there is a significant and material change in circumstances likely to affect its decision. A parent who is dissatisfied with a decision of the TEOP or the Elected Member who is the portfolio holder may submit an appeal to the Appeal Panel consisting of county councillors.

9.7 The TEOP and the appeals panel will consider whether not receiving LA Education Travel support would be a significant factor for a child’s safety and wellbeing.

They may exercise discretion to set aside this policy and to provide support where they consider this to be essential to meet the needs of a child whose safety or wellbeing would otherwise be at risk of significant harm. (see glossary)

This may be the case where the child would be subject to bullying or discrimination1 of any kind which cannot otherwise be satisfactorily addressed. Safeguarding and welfare will be the LA’s overriding concern and this may require signposting to appropriate LA teams and agencies rather than Education Travel support

9.8 Where a parent feels that an appeal has not been conducted in a fair manner, he or she may pursue a complaint with the Local Government Ombudsman.

9.9 Comments about the service provided under this policy or general queries can be made by telephoning the My Devon Customer Service Centre or by emailing or writing to the Transport Co-ordination Service.

If the issue is a complaint about the transport service or policy, the complaint can be registered online or by telephoning the Customer Service Centre on 0345 155 1018.

10. Fees and charges

10.1 Fees and charges for education transport services will be set by the LA in this policy and are subject to change at any time. Current charges are detailed at appendix 3.

1 That is discrimination against any protected characteristic, including but not limited to ethnicity, sex or disability, contrary to the Equality Act 2010.

Policy history

DateSummary of changeContactImplementation dateReview date
10/20172018/19 Policy updated to 2019/20Policy and
Strategy Officer
9/201810/2018
9 Feb
2018
Policy determined by the Cabinet of Devon County CouncilAs above09/201810/2018
10/20182019/20 Policy updated to 2020/21As above09/201910/2019
15 Feb
2019
Policy determined by the Cabinet of Devon County CouncilAs above09/201910/2019
10/20192020/21 Policy updated to 2021/22As above09/202010/2020
14 Feb 2020Policy determined by the Cabinet of Devon County CouncilAs above09/202010/2020
10/20202021/22 Policy updated to 2022/23As above09/202110/2021
12 Feb 2021Policy determined by the Cabinet of Devon County CouncilAs above09/202110/2021
14 June 2021Amendment made to section 8.29, inserting: It would also be appropriate to consider safeguarding an or other diverse needsSenior Policy OfficerImmediateAs identified
9 July 2021Amendment made to Appendix 5, point 7 to remove the second paragraph as all year groups at Cranbrook Education Campus are fully open:
Deleted:
However, there will be a transition period during which Cranbrook Education Campus will gradually expand to the point where it operates five secondary year groups from year 7 to year 11. During this period, designated area transport eligibility to Clyst Vale will apply for any Year Group that is not in operation at Cranbrook. For example, where year 9 is not operating at the Cranbrook, addresses in its area will still have transport eligibility to Clyst Vale (minimum distance eligibility will apply).
1 Sept 2021Amendment made to Appendix 5

To remove reference to catchment school transport eligibility for the two primary schools in South Molton as both schools are now fully open.
Senior Policy OfficerImmediateAs identified
10/20212022/23 Policy updated to 2023/24
11 Feb
2022
Policy determined by the Cabinet of Devon County CouncilSenior Policy OfficerImmediateAs identified
Oct 2022Redrafted as policy for 2023-26
To review all discretionary transport provision with costings for 2023-24 and to extend the policy document to cover 3 academic years at a time
Senior Policy OfficerImmediateAs identified
8 Mar 2023Policy determined by the Cabinet of Devon County CouncilSenior Policy OfficerImmediate10/2025
8 March 2023New exception to catchment school transport inserted at Appendix 4 – referencing Uffculme School and the Willand School area.Senior Policy OfficerImmediate10/2025

Appendix 1

Impact assessment is located here.

Appendix 2: Glossary and guidance

Key Performance IndicatorBaseline (date)TargetMilestone 1 – Jul 23Actual Jul 23Milestone 2 – Nov 23Actual Nov 23
Percentage of children and young people absent from school with SEN support (Attendance)10.9% (academic year 21/22)10% (England average 21/22)10.9%12.1% (academic year 22/23)10.5%11.3%
Percentage of children and young people absent from school with an EHC plan (Attendance)12.7% (academic year 21/22)12.1% (England average 21/22)12.7%14.7% (academic year 22/23)13.6%15.50%
Suspension rate of children and young people with SEN support (Suspensions)28.92 (academic year 21/22)18.59 (England average 21/22)28.9247.7 (academic year 22/23)28.814.48
Suspension rate of children and young people with an EHC plan (Suspensions)25.06 (academic year 21/22)17.63 (England average 21/22)25.0638.17 (academic year 22/23)25.013.02%
Permanent exclusion rate of children and young people with SEN support (Exclusions)0.45 (academic year 21/22)0.25 (England average 21/22)0.45%0.66 (academic year 22/23)0.450.16%
Permanent exclusion rate of children and young people with an EHCP support (Exclusions)0.28 (academic year 21/22)0.13 (England average 21/22)0.28%0.54 (academic year 22/23)0.280.13
EHC assessment requests as a % of population (Demand)0.97% (academic year 21/22)0.68% (national SEN2 2022)1.05%1.17% (projected end of year)1.05%1.07% (projected end of year)
Total number of EHC plans as % of 0-24 population (Demand)3.99% (SEN2 Jan 2023)30.8% (national SEN2 2022)4.1%4.17%4.2%4.25%
Parent carers rate their lived experience of Local Area SEND services as ‘good’ or ‘better’, identifying improvement in relation to joint working and communication8% (May 23)90%

Appendix 3: Schedule of fees and charges

This Schedule is subject to change following the allocation of resources.

ScheduleFees and charges
Contribution for concessionary and post-16 passengers£690 per year in 2023/24
£750 per year in 2024/25
£800 per year in 2025/26
Discount on contributions if paid in full in advance£30
Upper limit for transport provided on temporary absence from home address£35 per day
Upper limit for transport provided where a child is temporarily rehoused£35 per day
Upper limit for transport provided on temporary medical grounds£35 per day
Upper limit for transport provided on educational continuity grounds£25 per day
Petrol allowance25p per mile

Appendix 4: Areas in Devon with more than one designated school(1)

1) Newton Abbot College and Coombeshead Academy

The College and Academy share a designated area for admissions purposes. Assisted transport on designated school grounds is not available to both schools from any one address as Devon provides school transport on designated school grounds to one school only.

Assisted transport on designated school grounds will be available to the establishment which was the designated school in the 2010/11 academic year (before the two areas overlapped) which is shown on the school area maps here. This approach has been adopted as recognising the closer of the two schools would have disallowed designated school transport from a large number of addresses around Ipplepen.

By recognising the designated areas at the end of 2010/11, the LA has ensured that transport provision became no less favourable for any resident.

This does not affect free transport which is available to the nearest school to an address or free transport on low income grounds to one of the three nearest schools which lie between two and six miles from an address.

In all cases, the establishment must be further than the walking distance of 3 miles (or two miles for low-income eligibility).

2) Lady Modiford’s Church of England Primary School and Meavy Church of England Primary School

The admissions designated areas for the two primary schools overlap at Dousland. This shared area lies within walking distance of two miles to both schools; therefore there is no entitlement to assisted education transport to either school on designated school grounds.

3) St Michael’s Church of England Primary Academy, Exeter
The designated area for St Michael’s consists of the parish of Heavitree, covering the designated areas or parts of the designated areas of a number of schools in the city. Where any address lies in the designated area of St Michael’s and another primary phase school and further than a walking distance of two miles, transport on designated school grounds will only be available to the nearer of the two schools, not to both.

This does not affect free transport which is available to the nearest school to an address. In all cases, the establishment must be further than the walking distance of two miles.

4) St Helen’s Church of England Primary School, Abbotsham
The designated area for St Helen’s consists of the local parishes which extend beyond the designated area historically recognised for transport purposes. Where any address lies in the designated area of St Helen’s and another primary phase school and further than a walking distance of two miles, transport on designated school grounds will not be available to St Helen’s.

This does not affect free transport which is available to the nearest school to an address. In all cases, the establishment must be further than the walking distance of two miles.

5) Atrium Studio School
The admissions designated area for the School coincides with the areas for a number of secondary schools in south Devon. The LA does not recognise the designated area for the School for transport purposes.

1 This section may be amended following the determination of admission arrangements by own admission authority schools.

This does not affect free transport which is available to the nearest school to an address or free transport on low-income grounds to one of the three nearest schools which lie between two and six miles from an address.

In all cases, the establishment must be further than the walking distance of 3 miles (or two miles for low-income eligibility).

6) Pilton Bluecoat Church of England Academy

The admissions designated area for the School was extended by the academy trust in 2014-15 to include the western part of the village of Ashford. This area is also designated to Southmead School in Braunton. The LA does not recognise this part of the designated area for the junior school for transport purposes.

This does not affect free transport which is available to the nearest school to an address. In all cases, the establishment must be further than the walking distance of 2 miles.

7) Cranbrook Education Campus and Clyst Vale Community College
The new town of Cranbrook is served by new or relocated schools. At secondary level, the town is served principally by Cranbrook Education Campus, the designated area for which comprises the new town development area. While Clyst Vale Community College also offers admissions priority for this area, it is no longer recognised for designated area transport eligibility purposes.

8) Sherford Vale School

The catchment for Sherford Vale School covers the new development which lies within the existing catchment for St Mary’s Church of England Primary School. Within its catchment, there is no entitlement to transport to Sherford as properties would be within walking distance to the new school. The existing entitlements to St Mary’s on designated school grounds is unaffected but will be reviewed in future years. A small section at the west of the catchment lies within the Plymouth City Council area.

9) Feniton and Payhembury Church of England primary schools

The LA reviewed and extended the catchment area for Payhembury Church of England Primary School as it increased its capacity and Published Admissions Number for 2018/19. The increased catchment, taking in Talaton and its environs will be the recognised catchment for transport purposes from 2018-19. This area remains part of the admissions catchment for Feniton Church of England Primary School. Free transport on nearest school grounds to Feniton will remain from eligible addresses.

10) Tipton St John Church of England Primary School

This school may relocate to a new site to the west of the town of Ottery St Mary. If and only if it does, the governing body will consult on a new catchment area that would be based on the current area and extend to the north around the area of the new site.

This will overlap with existing catchments for Ottery St Mary Primary School and West Hill Primary School. Their catchments will be unchanged. The walking distances from the potential new catchment to the new site for Tipton St John would be less than 2 miles so there would be no impact on entitlement to free transport on distance grounds.

11) Matford Brook Academy (MBA)

This all-through school opens in September 2023. It has a catchment area for its primary phase and a larger catchment area for its secondary phase from September 2024. The catchment areas overlap with catchments for Alphington, Ide, Kenn, and Exminster primary schools and for Dawlish College, West Exe School and Teign School at secondary level.

The schools recognised by the LA for catchment school transport purposes will continue to be Alphington, Ide, Kenn, Exminster, Dawlish, Teign and West Exe respectively.

All addresses in the MBA primary catchment area and in the catchments for Alphington and Exminster are within a walking distance of 2 miles from MBA: there is no entitlement to free transport on catchment school grounds there.

Addresses in the MBA secondary catchment area and in the catchments for Dawlish, Teign and West which are further than the secondary school walking distances or 3 miles or, for low-income households, 2 miles, and closer to MBA than the other schools will be entitled to free transport on nearest school grounds.

The catchment school transport entitlement to Alphington, Ide, Kenn, Exminster, Dawlish, Teign and West Exe is unaffected but will be reviewed in future years.

12) Willand School catchment area – Uffculme School

Historically, the catchment area for Willand School (primary school) formed part of the admissions catchment area for Cullompton Community College (secondary school). There has been eligibility for free transport for secondary-age children living in this catchment and beyond a minimum walking distance of 3 miles.

From the start of the 2024/25 academic year, this area will also be in the admissions catchment area for Uffculme School (secondary school). It will not, however, be recognised for the purposes of free transport on catchment school grounds. That entitlement will remain solely to Cullompton.

Appendix 5: Schools with multiple sites

1) Sidmouth Church of England Primary School
Children will attend one or other of the two sites according to their Year group. Transport entitlement on distance grounds will be to the site they attend. When this changes, entitlement to transport support will be reassessed.

2) Queen Elizabeth’s
Entitlement to education transport support will be based on the distance from home to the site at which the pupil will be educated: Lower School or Upper School.

3) High Bickington Church of England Academy
Entitlement to education transport support will be based on the distance from home to the site at which the pupil will be educated: Reception is taught at the village hall site. Older children at the school site in the centre of the village.

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