Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance they give to local authorities which, in determining the site for a new school, approve a location that would require pupils to walk two to five miles in order to attend.

In England, specific guidance is not provided on the location of schools. The Government places great importance on ensuring that a sufficient choice of school places is available to meet the needs of existing and new communities. It expects local authorities to work collaboratively with school promoters to find suitable locations, while considering statutory duties around home to school transport and sustainability as well as other relevant factors. It is not always possible for children to be able to attend a school within walking distances, particularly in more rural areas, in which case the local authority would be under a duty to make travel arrangements where they considered it necessary to secure a child’s attendance at school.