Help with school transport and costs
Who can apply?
You can apply for free school transport if your nearest suitable school for your child/ren is not within walking distance of your home. Walking distance is:
- two miles for children under eight
- three miles for children between eight and 16 years old
You might also be able to apply if your child has a disability or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
To do so, please request the SEND home-to-school transport application form by emailing SEN@brighterfuturesforchildren.org or school.transport@brighterfuturesforchildren.org.
If you disagree with the decision, you can appeal online. Your appeal will be heard by an independent panel consisting of the lead member for education, the director of education and a BFfC education member of staff, all of whom will not have been involved in the original decision. This policy is reviewed annually to take account of government guidance and best practice.
Details of the appeal process are available here:
BFfC School Transport Appeals – Parents’ Guide
If a transport pass is lost, damaged or no longer scans you can apply for a replacement pass here.
Low income
You should complete a Low Income Supplementary Form if your child attends a secondary school which is one of the three nearest to your home address and the distance is over two miles but less than six miles (or 15 miles for a denominational school). If the application is for transport to a denominational school, an additional denominational certificate should be requested. For primary age pupils, the school needs to be the nearest school to qualify on the basis of low income.
Post-16 students
If your child has an education, health and care plan (EHCP) and their end of Year 11 review indicates your child needs help to travel, please see the BFfC Post-16 Education Transport Statement for details about what help is available.
Higher education
Student finance now deals with higher education funding. If your child is between 16 and 19 years old and in full- or part-time education or training, check the Gov.uk website to see if they are eligible for help.
Independent travel training
Our Independent Travel Training programme helps young people with additional needs to travel safely from home to school. Your child may be eligible if they have an EHCP and live more than three miles from their nearest suitable setting (two miles if your family is on low income). During the programme, students will receive 1:1 support while travelling on public transport to school or college. Initially, this will be full journey support which will gradually be reduced. When the course is complete, young people will receive a bus pass for free home-to-school travel.
Click the postcard for more details about the course.
Contact the School Transport Service to book, or if you have any queries. Call them on 0118 937 2542 or email them at school.transport@brighterfuturesforchildren.org.
Transport in Reading
For more ways of getting to school, or out and about in Reading, visit Reading Borough Council’s vehicles, roads and transport page.
