Declares that under North Norhamptonshire’s current “Home to School Transport” policy, parents sending their children to Prince William School in Oundle may be required to pay for a substantial bus fare, which is currently free; further declares that parents in Thrapston and Islip have historically sent their children to Prince William School, a link which is appreciated and cherished by parents and schools alike; notes that the new policy will fund school buses for secondary school students to their nearest suitable school, rather than “linked” schools like the Prince William School.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take immediate action to ensure that North Northamptonshire Council makes special arrangements outside their adopted policy to duplicate the current provision for home to school transport for Thrapston and Islip children.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Official Report, 17 October 2023; Vol. 738, c. 7P.]
[P002862]
Observations from the Minister for Schools (Damian Hinds):
Our home to school travel policy aims to make sure no child is prevented from accessing education by a lack of transport. The law requires local authorities to arrange free travel for children who attend their nearest school and cannot walk there due to the distance, their special educational needs, disability or mobility problem, or because the nature of the route means it would be unsafe for them to do so. If a child’s nearest school is full and unable to offer them a place, the nearest school that can offer them a place becomes their nearest school for transport purposes.
Where a parent chooses a school for their child that is not their nearest, they will normally be responsible for arranging their travel. There is an exception to this for children eligible for free school meals or whose parents claim the maximum amount of working tax credit. Children aged 11 to 16 are entitled to free transport to one of their three nearest schools provided it is between 2 and 6 miles from their home, or to a school their parents have chosen on the grounds of their religion or belief that is between 2 and 15 miles from their home.
Local authorities have the discretion to make travel arrangements, free or otherwise, for other children, but they are not required to do so. We know that budget pressures mean local authorities often have to make difficult decisions to balance the benefits of discretionary travel with their other priorities.
North Northamptonshire Council uses its discretionary power to provide free transport to Prince William School for children living in Thrapston or Islip. The council had proposed withdrawing this transport but, on 26 October, it posted a notice on its website to say that it will not be doing so: “Secondary school children in Thrapston and Islip to keep statutory free bus travel to Prince William School” (North Northamptonshire Council, northnorthants.gov.uk).