Appeal for home to school transport
How to appeal the decision not to offer your child a free school travel.
When you can appeal
You can appeal if you have read the current school travel policy and believe the decision not to offer your child free home to school transport is wrong.
You must start this process within 20 working days of the refusal.
It may be better to contact us
You may not need to appeal. There may be personal circumstances that we were not aware of when we decided to refuse. For example:
- you receive the maximum level of Working Tax Credits
- your child is eligible for free school meals.
If that's the case, contact us to discuss your circumstances.
Contact us if you have questions about eligibility or your child's current travel arrangements.
Reasons for appeal
You can only appeal for one of the four reasons described below.
Eligibility
A child’s eligibility under any of the statutory categories and the criteria in the Home to School Travel and Transport Policy. For example, you can appeal where you believe:
- the council has made an error
- the council has failed in its statutory duties.
The distance measurement
The distance measurement in relation to statutory walking distances or extended rights. For example, you can appeal if your child attends the nearest school and you disagree with the measurement from home to school.
The safety of the route
The council has a statutory duty to provide free travel if there is no available walking route. For example, you can appeal if your child attends the nearest school and you disagree with the availability of a safe walking route.
The transport arrangements offered
The suitability of the travel arrangements offered. For example, you can appeal if your child has been given free transport but you believe it is not suitable for their needs.
How to appeal
We follow a two-stage appeals process that is set out in guidance by the Department for Education.
Stage one
The school admissions and transport services manager will consider your appeal request. We will send you a response within 20 days unless the case is more complex.
Stage two
If our decision is upheld, you have 20 days from our response to make a written request to escalate your appeal. Then, in stage two, an independent panel will hear your appeal.