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School transport for 16-19 year olds
Schools, early years and childcare
Getting to school:-
Medway Council, as the Local Authority (LA), offers transport to
eligible pupils up to the age of 19 years. Please read the
information about applying before contacting the Student
Services Operations Team for an application form.
Pupils aged four to 16
Pupils who attend their nearest appropriate school from their
home address and live over the minimum distance will be eligible
for free home to school transport. If the child is younger than
eight, the minimum distance is two miles and if the child is older
than eight, the minimum distance is three miles.
The walking distances are measured by the shortest available
walking route and may take into account public footpaths and public
rights of way. The shortest available route is one along which a
child, accompanied as necessary, can walk with reasonable safety to
school.
Eight and 11-year-olds from low-income families will also
qualify if they live more than two miles from their nearest
appropriate school. Eleven-year-olds or older from low income
families will also qualify if they live more than two miles (but
not more than six miles) from one of their three nearest
appropriate schools. Low income families are defined as where
children are eligible for free school meals or where their parents receive
the maximum level of Working Tax Credit; proof of this will need to
be provided.
If you are unsure whether you qualify, please phone the number
below.
Pupils in Years 12 and 13
Once a pupil continues their education into Year 12, the council
will no longer subsidise the cost of travel passes or provide free
travel for students. However, eligible students can still apply for
a pass, which is charged at cost.
Vacant Seats Payment Scheme
(VSPS)
Children who do not qualify for free travel can sometimes be
offered a seat under the Vacant Seats Payment Scheme (VSPS). Under
this scheme, any unfilled seats on vehicles hired by the council to
take entitled children to school can be offered to pupils who are
not eligible for free travel. There is a charge of £165 per term
for academic year 2010/11, which must be paid before a seat can be
released. Please note that travel under the VSPS is not available
on public bus or train services and may have to be withdrawn at a
later date if it is needed for a child who is entitled to free
transport, if the council decides to stop running that vehicle or
if it decides to run a smaller vehicle.
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