Halwill School Travel Information

School bus

Devon County Council has a policy on the provision of school transport. It provides, for example, free school transport where a pupil of compulsory school age lives beyond the statutory distance from the school designated by the Local Education Authority who serves the same address. The statutory distance is defined as 2 miles for children up to 8 years of age and 3 miles for those aged 8 and over. To qualify, the statutory distance is measured by using the shortest route between the home and school.

Transport is also provided to pupils registered at a school that is nearest to their home when this is not the designated school and if beyond walking distance and suited to the age, ability and aptitude of the child.

Devon County Council will notify you if your child is eligible for free school transport, alternatively information is available on-line, https://new.devon.gov.uk/educationandfamilies/school-information/school-and-college-transport 

There are some exceptions to this policy. Some pupils may be given free transport for special reasons when they live within the statutory distance – for example, on medical grounds.

It is parental responsibility to arrange for children to travel in safety between the home and pickup up and setting down points. They are also responsible for their children while they are waiting for transport and when they leave the transport at the end of the day.

Where the Authority is not obliged to provide transport, it is a parental responsibility to make arrangements for and meet the costs of travel between home and school.

Where spare seats on the County Councils school transport vehicles or contractor’s vehicles are available, these may be occupied by children not entitled to free transport on the purchase of a concessionary ticket. Adequate warning will be given to parents should the concession need to be withdrawn.

If parents are unhappy about the way in which the policy has been applied, staff at the Divisional Education Office will be willing to discuss any concerns. An appeal procedure exists.

Further information and a full policy statement are also available from the Divisional Education office.