This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
Members of Isle of Wight Council’s Cabinet have agreed to a further consultation period on the council’s proposed new home to education transport policy for pupils and students.
A new 28 day consultation period will run from Tuesday 6 September until Friday 14 October.
Provision for all ages being reconsidered
This new policy document covers provision for primary school pupils (4 – 11yrs), secondary pupils (11 – 16yrs), post 16 students (16 – 19yrs) and children aged 4-16 with special educational needs and disabilities.
Among the proposals include continuing the current policy of providing free travel to primary school pupils aged 4 – 7yrs if the school they go to is more than two miles from their home. Similarly, pupils aged 7 – 11 will be entitled to free travel if they live more than three miles from their current school.
Revised policy for secondary schools
A revised policy is being proposed for secondary pupils. They will still be entitled to free travel if their priority school is more than three miles from their home. However, 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.
Proposals to remove free travel for some students who attend a faith school remain although they will be eligible for free travel if they fall within the criteria above.
Pupils who live in an area where the route is deemed unsafe will continue to be provided with free transport.
Post 16 transport
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. Cabinet members agreed to increase the cost of this pass from £27.50 to £50, with effect from 1 September 2011, at the meeting held on Tuesday 16 August.
A final Cabinet decision is due in December this year. Any changes won’t come into force until at least September 2012.
A full copy of the Home to Education Transport Policy can be found online.
Image: Orin Optiglot under CC BY 2.0
