Free school travel

Education travel pass 

In London, all children aged 16 years or under can travel on London buses free of charge. We therefore expect that the majority of school pupils who need to take transport to school will do so by London bus.

However, we will provide an education travel pass that is valid on the London Underground and on some over ground rail services where it is not possible to travel to school only by bus. The passes will only be considered for travel to maintained schools and academies falling within the Greater London travel zones 1 to 6.

Do I qualify?

Distance

• your child is under aged 8 years and has to travel more than 3.2 km (2 miles) or aged 8 to 16 years and has to travel 4.8 km (3) miles or more and no nearer school place is available and the journey to and from the school by bus is unreasonably long and/or difficult
• how far do I live from a Camden school

Low income

Your family is on low income (defined as those children entitled to free school meals or whose family are in receipt of their maximum level of Working Tax Credit):

• (i) your child is aged between 8-11 years;
  (ii) is attending one of the three nearest suitable school where the distance travelled is more then two miles; and
  (iii) you feel that he/she needs an education travel pass to get to school because the journey to and from school by bus is unreasonably long and/or difficult
• (i) your child is aged between 11-16 years;
  (ii) is attending one of the three nearest suitable school; the distance between home and school is between 2 and 6 miles; and
  (ii) you feel that he/she needs an education travel pass to get to school because the journey to and from school by bus is unreasonably long and/or difficult.
• (i) your child is aged between 11-16 years attending the nearest suitable school preferred on the grounds of religious belief ;
  (ii) where the distance between home and school is more than 2 miles but not more than 15 miles; and
  (iii) you feel that he/she needs an education travel pass to get to school because the journey to and from school by bus is unreasonably long and/or difficult

• if your child has a statement of special education needs and there is a specific recommendation on the statement of needs for an education travel pass.

Special circumstances

If you feel that your child has special circumstances/reasons why he/she needs an education travel pass. You will need to state what the circumstances/reasons are and also attach any relevant supporting evidence such as a letter from a GP or letter from the child’s school.

How do I apply?

• download: Application for free home-to-school travel (primary school) (PDF 17KB)
• download: Application for free home-to-school travel (secondary school) (PDF 200KB)

Or you can contact the school admissions team and we will send you a form.

The form must be completed by you and signed and stamped by the relevant school.

Please return the form to the school admissions team

We will reply within 10 working days. If the application is successful, the education travel pass will be sent to the school for collection by the pupil.

Passes will then be automatically sent to the school at the start of each term during the academic year.

What will happen to my application?

• you can expect a response to your application within 10 working days
• the application will be checked for completeness and you will be contacted if more information is needed
• the distance between home and school will be measured along road routes.
• where necessary advice will be taken from Transport for London regarding the journey
• if the application is successful - the travel pass will be sent to the school for collection. Thereafter a pass will be sent at the start of each term

Right of appeal

If we refuse support for travel, parents can appeal in writing to the school admissions team

In your appeal you must say why you are appealing and where appropriate, provide supporting information and/or evidence.

Change of circumstances

You must advise us of any change of address or school or any other factor that might affect the eligibility for the education travel pass for example if you change address.

Replacement of lost or stolen education travel pass

Replacement of lost or stolen passes will considered on completion of a Replacement Form. Stolen passes may be replaced within 10 working days of receiving the request for replacement - if evidence such as a police report or crime number can be provided this period can be shorter.

Lost passes will be replaced only if the pass is not recovered after 10 working days after receiving the completed request for replacement.

Page last updated Jan 27, 2012 11:03 AM