This in from the council. In their own words. Ed
Members of Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet are to decide whether to agree to a new home to education transport policy, aimed at making it fair for all pupils living on the Island and attending an Island school or the Isle of Wight College.
Currently, when families choose a school for their child which is not their priority school, they are entitled to free home to education transport if both the priority school and the preferred school are more than three miles from their home (two miles for primary aged pupils).
Currently free travel to faith schools
However, if the preferred school is a faith school chosen on religious grounds, and is more than three miles (two miles for primary aged pupils) from the child’s home, the transport cost is covered by the council.
Initially the council had outlined plans to cease subsidised travel to faith school pupils living less than three miles from their priority area school, from September 2011. It also wanted to end post-16 transport subsidies.
Review of entire education transport policy
During an initial consultation exercise, members of the public raised concerns over the proposals. The council agreed to review its entire education transport policy and began a further round of consultation.
Following this further consultation over the summer, the council has written an updated proposal for home to school transport.
New proposals
The new policy proposes that, from September 2012, the council will no longer fund free home to education transport for students attending any secondary school, unless their priority school is more than three miles from their home and the preferred school is within three miles of their priority school.
However, students who currently receive free transport will continue to do so, unless their circumstances change which would have meant they no longer qualify for free travel.
No discretionary travel from floating bridge
The new policy also proposes that the current discretionary provision of transport from the floating bridge to Cowes Enterprise College will also cease for all pupils from September 2012.
The council will continue to provide subsidised transport for post-16 students attending sixth form or the Isle of Wight College, but the contribution from students will increase on an annual basis.
Free travel for those with special educational needs and disabilities
Students with special educational needs and disabilities who require transport from their homes will continue to receive free travel, where they qualify.
Similarly, students aged 16 and under who are eligible for free school meals or maximum level of working tax credit will also continue to receive free home to school transport, where they qualify.
The proposed new policy is embedded below for your convenience
The cabinet meeting will be held at 6pm on Tuesday 13 December in the council chamber.
Image: D Sharon Pruitt under CC BY 2.0
