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Having trouble getting to and from school? Go to the
Kent public transport website and find ways to get to your
destination quickly, easily and in an environmentally friendly way.
Whether you wish to walk, cycle, take the train or bus, we hope
this site helps you get to your school promptly, safely and on
time.
Assistance
Kent County Council not only gives advice on how to get to and
from school, it also offers assistance to those families that need
help with school transport who meet certain qualifying criteria.
You can download our
Home to School Transport Guide for more details.
Who is eligible?
To receive transport assistance:
- Your child must attend his/her nearest appropriate school for
transport purposes
- For children aged less than eight years old the distance
between the home and the school must be more than two miles via the
shortest available walking route
- For children aged over eight years of age, the distance must be
more than three miles
- For children attending a denominational (church) school, the
form must also be signed by the vicar or priest to confirm that the
child is a regular and practising member of a church of the same
denomination as the school.
Please note that when deciding which is your nearest appropriate
school, the County Council does not take account of a parent's
preference for a school of a particular type; for example, for a
single-sexed, mixed, specialist or particular type of school.
All children are assessed against the transport criteria and the
receipt of any benefits is not taken into account.
However, as from September 2007, primary aged children from
low-income families will receive assistance if they meet the
following criteria:
- Attendance at their nearest appropriate school for transport
purposes
- Live between two - six miles from the school
- Receive the maximum level of Working Tax Credit
- Receive free school meals
From September 2008, secondary aged children from low-income
families will also receive assistance if they meet the following
criteria:
- Attendance at one of their three nearest appropriate school for
transport purposes
- Live between two - six miles from the school. For
denominational schools the distance must be between two - 15
miles.
- Receive the maximum level of Working Tax Credit
- Receive free school meals
Evidence of receipt of benefits will be required and transport
will be reviewed on an annual basis. For further information,
please contact the Transport Team.
Applying
For children aged four to 16 (Yr R - Yr 11) you need to complete
a T1A transport application form, if you are applying because your
child is entitled to free school meals or because you receive your
maixmum level of Working Tax Credits you should also complete form
T1B.
For children entering into Yrs 12 and 13, you need to complete a
T2 transport application form. If you wish to renew transport for a
child in Yr12 or 13 you should complete form T2R.
Application forms for school transport are available either
directly from your school or by contacting the Transport Team.
Alternatively you can download an application form using the
following links.
If your child is eligible, and requires a pass for September
admissions the application needs to be returned to the Transport
Office by 31 July and confirmation of assistance
will be sent to you from the Transport Office. Transport
Integration will notify you of the mode of transport and provide
you with contact details, the pass will be sent to the school for
the first day of term.
Guidelines for accepted applications
Any pass issued can only be used on school days and for one
return journey each day between the points shown on the pass. A
pass may only be used by the child named on it. Pupils should carry
their passes on them at all times. If a pupil misbehaves on a bus
or a train, his/her pass may be withdrawn.
Routes and types/modes of travel are chosen by the Transport
Integration Unit at West Malling in order to obtain the best value
for money. A choice of transport is not therefore offered and
transport arrangements may be altered.
If your child needs to use more then one type of transport to
get to and from school they will only be given assistance to use
more than one means of travel if it is not possible to complete the
journey by one type of transport.
A cash allowance may be given (in place of a season ticket) if
there is no hired transport or public bus service available. It is
calculated at 12 pence per mile for one return journey each day.
The largest cash allowance that can be granted is £100 per term,
per family.
Failed applications
If your application for assistance is turned down and you
require clarification of the reasons your child has not been
allocated a place on free school transport, please contact the Kent
Admissions and Transport Team on the details opposite. If you are
dissatisfied with the decision to refuse transport, you can ask for
your application to be reviewed by the Transport Officer at the
Education Office. If you remain dissatisfied and believe that you
have a special case for receiving travel assistance, you can ask
for your case to be considered by Members of the Regulation Appeal
Panel.
Vacant Seats Payment Scheme
If your child is not eligible for assistance, there is still the
possibility that they could be offered transport under the Vacant
Seat Payment Scheme (VSPS). Under this scheme, if there are
unfilled seats on vehicles hired by the County Council, these may
be offered to pupils. Unfortunately seats cannot be offered on
public bus or train services.
There is a termly charge, which must be paid before a ticket is
issued. This is currently £165 per term for Autumn Term 2008 and
Spring Term 2009, and £160 for the Summer Term 2009.
If your child receives assistance through this scheme there is
no guarantee it will always be available. Seats are reviewed on a
termly basis and may be withdrawn if:
- a child who is entitled to receive transport assistance
requires it
- the County Council decides to stop running that vehicle or
decides to run a smaller vehicle.
If this does happen, you will need to make your own arrangements
for your child to travel to and from school.
VSPS seats can only be allocated after the term
has started when the children who are eligible to receive
assistance have been allocated their seats. In the meantime, you
will need to make your own arrangements.
Free School Transport and Special Needs
If your child has a statement of Special Needs and receives
transport, please contact the Transport Integration Unit on the
following numbers:
East Kent: 01622 605046
West Kent: 01622 605087
Mid Kent: 01622
605047
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