Faith school transport FAQs
How will this affect low income families?
The council has a statutory duty to provide school travel for certain categories of compulsory school age pupils (which is specific to families who are on low incomes, defined currently as receiving the maximum amount of Working Tax Credit, or those children are eligible for free school meals). The council is not consulting on these arrangements, which will continue to be provided, as long as there remains a statutory requirement to provide school transport for pupils in these categories.
What help would there be available for low income families?
Children from low income families (those eligible for free school meals or the maximum level of working tax credit) may be supported with travel assistance where they live more than 2 miles from their nearest available school. Secondary aged children from low income families may be eligible for free transport if their school is between 2 and 6 miles away from their home address.
Who is responsible for getting a child to school?
The law states the council has a duty to “make such travel arrangements as they consider necessary to facilitate attendance at school for eligible children, that is, those categories of children for whom travel arrangements will always be required”. Travel for children that fall into these categories must be provided free of charge. For children who do not fall into one of these statutory categories, parents are responsible for ensuring that their children attend school regularly and therefore responsible for getting their child to school.
How far is the statutory walking distance?
Walking distance is either two miles (if the child is under eight years old), or three miles (if the child is eight years old or older). This is measured by the “nearest available route”. The route is not necessarily the shortest distance by road. It is measured by the shortest route along which a child, accompanied as necessary, may walk with reasonable safety.
Can I still choose a school for my child (ren), which is not the nearest school to where we live?
Any parent has the right to choose the school that they wish their child/ren to attend. Should the child not be entitled to school transport because it is not the nearest establishment then getting the child to school will be the parents’ responsibility.
If I don’t think that I can afford to pay for my child to travel to school want to change their school, can I do so?
Yes, as these changes, if implemented, will coincide with the start of a new school year you can complete an admissions form to apply for a place at another school of your choice. This will be considered if the round of applications for that school and the places available. For further information with regards school admissions, please click here.
My child has a right to have a Catholic education and to receive transport - aren't you breaking the law if you carry out these proposed changes?
Human rights legislation gives parents the right to make sure that their religious beliefs are considered in the provision of education, but it does not guarantee a parent a place at a denominational school for their child or entitle them to free transport to their school.
Parents have a right under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to express a preference for a place at a particular school, and whilst the Council must have regard to that preference, the allocation of a school place does not carry with it an automatic right to receive transport assistance.
The Education Act 1996 sets out the Council's duties relating to school transport and it makes clear that free transport only has to be considered for certain groups of children (called "eligible children"), which includes pupils with special educational needs and those from low income families. Some children who attend faith schools will be "eligible children", but only if their families are on low incomes and they meet other criteria set by law. For those children who do not fall within the relevant categories, the Council has no legal duty to provide assistance with transport arrangements, but it can do so if it wishes. The Council believes that its proposed policy amendments are entirely lawful.
If the council is not able to transport my child to school, what other options are available to me?
The Island has a good local bus network serving many of the areas in which schools are based (details on these services are included in this link below). Alternatively parents may choose to drive their children to school or lift-share with other parents. Parents in a local community may also find that there are sufficient other children needing to travel to the same school to warrant hiring a mini bus and driver and sharing the costs involved.
Parents can also discuss with their school whether the school themselves will consider providing transport in association with the local bus company or indeed other private providers. Depending on the take-up of pupils and the costs involved this might prove a cost-efficient option
How can I find out what public transport is available and how much would it cost me?
Details of current bus ticket options can be found through the following website:
http://www.islandbuses.info/tickets02.shtml
The Freedom pass currently offered is valid for 90 consecutive days at a cost of £99. Four passes would be needed to cover the term times working out at a total cost of £396 just over a £1 per day. This pass can also be used outside of school hours including weekends and evenings.
What would the savings be used for?
The Council's medium term budget plans incorporate significant savings targets. Any savings made through the withdrawal of free transport to faith schools or Post 16 providers will contribute towards these savings targets and help avoid cuts to other service areas.