School travel support

Do I qualify for a school travel assistance grant?

Your child will be automatically entitled to free transport if they:
Are between five and 16 years old and attend the nearest suitable school, and the school is further away than the 'statutory walking distance'.

The statutory walking distance is:

• Two miles for pupils aged under eight
• Three miles for pupils aged 8 and over  

Primary school pupils
Since 1 September 2007, the right to free school transport has been extended to pupils who:

• are aged eight to eleven
• are from low income families
• go to their nearest suitable school, and live more than two miles away.

Secondary school pupils
Since 1 September 2008, secondary school aged pupils (11 to 16 years old) have been entitled to free school transport if they are from a low income family*, and they go to either:

• Any one of their three nearest suitable schools, and the schools are between two and six miles away from their home address.
• The nearest school preferred by their parents on the grounds of religion or belief, and the school is between two and 15 miles away from their home address.
• Pupils in Year 10 or 11 who move to an address, which is over 3 miles from their school, will be considered for assistance in order to minimise any disruption to their GCSE studies. Each case will be considered individually on its merits.
• Pupils of compulsory school age and cannot walk to school safely on their own and you are unable to accompany them because you have a serious disability.

*Low Income Family refers to families in receipt of Income Support, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance, Child Tax Credits, families receiving the maximum amount of working tax credits, families supported under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. Proof of your benefit is required with your application. (Proof must be no more than 3 months old, and clearly state that you are currently receiving one of the support payments listed above.)

Please further information please contact Pupil support - contact details on the right.

Due to transport for London 's free bus and tram travel scheme, pupils aged 5-16 can travel free on buses with an Oyster card. For more information see the Transport for London website.