School Transport Consultation

The Council is carrying out a consultation about the proposal to introduce a new School Transport Policy.

The effect of the new policy would be to make sure that free transport would be available for all primary pupils who live more than 2 miles from their nearest suitable school and for all secondary pupils who live more than 3 miles from their nearest suitable school. The consultation takes place between 16 November 2009 and 26 February 2010.

The consultation will be brought to the attention of many people, not just those who could be directly affected, by a campaign which will include comprehensive information including the proposed policy, frequently asked questions and the ability to comment on the proposals on the Wrexham Council web-site. The consultation will remain open until 26 February 2010.

In the event that the revised policy is implemented, the Local Authority will provide free transport to the nearest suitable school. The criteria that will be used to define 'suitable' will be determined by elected members, whose decision will be informed by feedback from the extensive consultation process. The Policy will only affect new entrants to schools post-implementation, those pupils already in receipt of free school transport will continue to receive this until the end of their statutory education (year 11) providing they do not change address or school in the intervening period.

This new policy, if introduced, will only apply to new entrants to schools from and after the date of implementation. For example, if the policy is introduced in September 2012 then all pupils that were in receipt of free school transport at the end of the academic year July 2012 will continue to receive the service, providing they do not move house and remain at the same school, until the end of their Year 6 (in the case of primary education) or Year 11 (in the case of secondary education). Where either the address of the pupil and/or school attended changes a new application for transport will need to be submitted which will be considered in line with the prevailing policy.

Revised Proposed School Transport Policy

Revised Proposed School Transport Policy - Word format 59Kb

Revised Proposed School Transport Policy - PDF format 19Kb

Revised Proposed School Transport Policy - Plain Text format 83Kb

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Frequently Asked Questions about the School Transport Consultation

My son gets free transport to school. Will his sister be eligible when she starts school in September?

The new policy will not automatically mean that siblings will be given the same concessions as their elder brothers or sisters. The admissions policy and criteria will consider qualification for transport in this regard.

My child is in Year 8. Will his transport finish at the end of Year 8?

The policy will only apply to students who change school following the implementation of the revised policy. Any pupils who were in receipt of school transport before the policy change will continue to be provided with transport until the end of their year 6 (primary) or year 11 (secondary).

Can I still choose a school for my child(ren), which is not the nearest school to where we live?

Any parent has the right to choose the school that they wish their child/ren to attend. The School Transport Policy merely identifies the Council's responsibility in respect of providing transport, which specifies the nearest school. Should the child not be entitled to school transport because it is not the nearest establishment then getting the child to school will be the parents' responsibility.

When will the change in the transport policy start?

It is not anticipated that the new policy will be introduced before 1 September 2012.

How will I be able to get my child to school when I work?

Where a child does not qualify for free school transport the responsibility for their transportation is the responsibility of the parent / guardian - this is the case under the existing policy.

Why has the Council decided to change the transport policy to schools?

The existing provision of school transport has been considered inequitable within a review of the service. The Executive Board of the Council has charged officers with the task of consulting stakeholders on the implementation of the policy. No other decisions have been taken at this stage.

Will other parents and children in other areas in Wrexham be affected by the change?

A recent study into existing home to school transport provision has indicated that a number of areas across the County Borough are provided with free school transport to a school other than their nearest. The revised policy will be applied across the whole County.

How much money will the Council save by stopping my free transport?

The revision of the School Transport Policy is not based on any savings in the provision of home to school transport; it is intended to remove inequality in provision across the County Borough. If the new policy does result in cost efficiencies then this will be re-invested.

Can I appeal against the proposed change?

Specific appeals against policy change can only be made where the policy is either failing to meet the statutory requirements and legislation as laid down by the Welsh Assembly Government (including the recently introduced Learner Travel Wales Measure) or where the policy contributes toward inequality in provision. The revised policy is designed to be equitable and compliant with current legislation.

How does this revised policy affect where my child is educated?

You can still choose any school for your child's education, subject to our Admissions Policy criteria a place can be offered at the school of your choice. However, free school transport would only be provided to the nearest suitable school.

When you say "nearest suitable school" what does suitable mean?

In the case of mainstream education this would be the nearest establishment that meets the needs of the student with the capacity to accommodate your child.

What if there isn't enough space at my nearest school?

The Council has an over-subscription criteria in its Admission Policy. In the event of the appropriate year group at the nearest school being full the Council would offer a place at the nearest school with available space. If this place is taken up and the journey qualifies for free school transport this will continue to be provided for so long as the pupil lives at the same address and continues to attend that school, until the end of their Year 6 (Primary) or Year 11 (Secondary).

If I still choose to send my child to a school other than the "nearest suitable" what assistance could the Council provide?

The decision on which education provision to access is parental choice and therefore transportation responsibilities lie with the parent or guardian. In some circumstances there may be spare seats on existing transport which the Council provides. If this is the case the Council will consider, at its discretion, making available a concessionary place, for so long as that place is available. There would be a termly administration charge payable.

Do you have a question that needs answering? Please email us schooltransport_consultation@wrexham.gov.uk or you can write to us at:

School Transport Consultation
16 Lord Street
Wrexham
LL11 1LG

Have Your Say on this Consultation

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