Overview
Parents have the right to say which school they would prefer their child to go to (under section 86 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998) but the Council only has to provide help with home to school transport in accordance with our legal duties. Your child does not automatically have a right to free transport to the school you want them to attend, and it remains the parent’s responsibility to make sure their child gets to school.
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council will meet the travelling expenses of some pupils whose parents/carers live within the borough and who attend the nearest suitable school (as determined by the Council).
The nearest suitable school is defined as the nearest school to your home with places available that provides education appropriate to the age, ability and aptitude of the child (and any special educational needs the child may have).
Where specific school bus services are offered for children who receive bus passes (i.e. are entitled to free transport), first consideration for boarding is given to the pass holders and only if spare capacity/seats are then available, will fare paying pupils be allowed on to the bus.
- Pupils will qualify for free transport under the 'unsafe route' eligibility if the child cannot reasonably be expected to walk to the nearest suitable school because the nature of the route is deemed unsafe to walk
- Pupils will qualify for free transport under the ‘walking distance’ rules if;
- They are aged 5 - 8 years of age and live more than 2 miles from their nearest suitable school; or
- They are aged 8 - 16 years and live more than 3 miles from their nearest suitable school.
- Pupils will qualify for free transport under the ‘low income’ rules if;
- They are in receipt of free school meals or their family is in receipt of the maximum working tax credit; and
- They are primary pupils who live more than 2 miles away from their nearest suitable school.
- They are secondary pupils who; are attending any one of the three secondary schools closest to their home, and these schools are more than 2 but no more than 6 miles from their home address or
- They are secondary pupils who; live more than 2 miles but no more than 15 miles from the nearest suitable school preferred on the grounds of religion or belief.