School transport and travel passes

You can find out more about the home to school transport policy, and how to apply, by reading the Home to school transport policy for pupils of statutory school age [PDF, 954Kb]

Many children with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) do not have special transport needs. Their entitlement to free school transport is the same as other children. The policy followed in assessing their entitlement is set out in the  Home to school transport policy for pupils of statutory school age  [PDF, 954Kb].

The council will make transport arrangements for all children who cannot reasonably be expected to make their own way to school because of their mobility difficulties or because of associated health and safety issues related to their special educational needs (SEN) or disability. Eligibility for such children will be assessed on an individual basis to identify their particular transport requirements.

In determining whether a child cannot reasonably be expected to make their own way to school, the council will consider whether the child could reasonably be expected to make their own way if accompanied and, if so, whether their parent can reasonably be expected to accompany them. When considering that, a range of factors may need to be taken into account, such as, the distance, the age of the child and whether one would ordinarily expect a child of that age to be accompanied. The general expectation is that a child will be accompanied by a parent where necessary, unless there is a good reason why it is not reasonable to expect the parent to do so.

Students over the age of 16 with disabilities, who attend a college or sixth form, may also be entitled to help with their transport costs .

If you are applying to a college or school sixth form to continue your education post 16 you may be eligible for help with your transport. Further information is available on our Post 16 transport page. Information on transport for pupils over 16 with disabilities is also available.

We expect pupils travelling on school transport to behave well and treat the bus driver with respect. We have a code of conduct setting out the standard of behaviour we expect, the support we look for from parents and the action that may be taken if children behave badly.

You can read this in the code of conduct for safe behaviour on school buses [PDF, 150Kb].

Parents are responsible for the behaviour, health, safety and welfare of their children whilst they are waiting at the bus stop.

School transport has an agreed timetable. We give parents details of their child’s pick up and drop off times, the transport type and operator when it has been set up.

Normally the transport runs to time, but very occasionally it may be late, for example if the vehicle has broken down, in unusual traffic conditions or if the weather is exceptionally bad.

In most cases the transport will arrive in due course, but sometimes, for example in heavy snow, it may be impossible for the vehicle to get through.

When the weather is bad, listen to the local radio (Lincs FM, Viking FM and BBC Radio Humberside) or check your child’s school website.

Neither the schools nor the council set definitive rules for parents to follow as there are a number of things for parents to consider in the interest of their child’s safety. However, we offer the following guidance to help parents decide what action to take:

• Parents should decide how long it is reasonable for their child to wait for the transport before going home. For example, they might consider a 15 minute wait to be acceptable, depending on weather conditions, the child’s age and special or medical needs.
• As soon as they are safely home, parents should inform the school of their child’s absence and reason for it.
• If parents make their own arrangements to get their child to school in bad weather, they must make sure that they can also get them home again at the end of the day, as the normal school transport may not be running.
• If the child’s transport is a taxi or bespoke transport and parents have the contact numbers of the operator, inform them of the position in case they can make alternative arrangements to get them to school.

We encourage travel to school to be as sustainable as possible.

Walking and cycling are much healthier ways of getting to school. Children who get fresh air and exercise on the way to school are much more alert and attentive in class (ask any teacher) and it’s better for the environment. The links below give you more information on what we’re doing to encourage more children to walk, cycle, travel by bus or car share on the journey to school.

Walking

• Please contact your child’s school to find out if there is an existing ‘walking bus’. Contact us if you would like a copy of our ‘Walking bus guidelines’.

Cycling

• Cycling in North Lincolnshire 
  
• Cycle training

Bus

• North Lincolnshire bus routes
• Traveline website with national services
• School transport policy

We want pupils to be as independent as possible when making their journey to school. This includes children with learning difficulties and disabilities. We work with schools, including St Hugh’s Communication and Interaction Specialist College, to support independent travel training to give young people the skills they need to make the journey from home to school safely.

We have produced a parents’ and carers’ pack [PDF, 406Kb] to help parents understand the work we are doing to help their children become more independent.

Traveline: Plan your journey or access a timetable