Following the announcement that the council would be reviewing its current home to school transport policy, this in from the council, in their own words. Ed
Residents have the chance to comment on the Isle of Wight Council’s proposed new home to education transport policy for pupils.
Following a consultation about faith school and post-16 home to education transport, at a cabinet meeting in August, council members decided to undertake a further review, considering the council’s entire home to education transport policy with the aim of making it fair and equal to all students.
Policy covers from 4 to 19 years
The transport policy includes primary school pupils (4 – 11 years), secondary pupils (11 – 16 years), post-16 students (16 – 19 years) and children aged 4 – 16 years with special educational needs and disabilities.
The policy is being revised for secondary pupils. They will be entitled to free travel if their priority school is more than three miles from their home. They will also receive free travel if they choose to go to a school that is no more than three miles from their priority school.
Faith school travel
Proposals to remove free travel for students who attend a faith school remain, although they will be eligible for free travel if they fall within the criteria above.
Post 16 students will be able to access subsidised travel if they live more than three miles from their home through the use of a termly bus pass. In August, cabinet members agreed to increase the cost of this pass from £27.50 to £50, with effect from 1 September 2011.
Deadline in October
The education transport policy consultation runs until Friday 14 October 2011. Residents are encouraged to read the proposals – which can be found online here or in the consultations section of www.iwight.com – and contact the council with their views.
Comments can be made by emailing [email protected] or by writing to:
Schools and Learning Business Support
Home to education transport policy
Isle of Wight Council County Hall
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 1UD
A final Cabinet decision is due in December this year. Any changes won’t come into force until at least September 2012.
