Schools, early years and childcare

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 School Transport 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 under eight years old the minimum distance is two miles and if the child is over eight years 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. 11-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 receive free school meals or where their parents receive the maximum level of Working Tax Credit; proof of this will be provided.

A child would be entitled to receive free school meals if the parent/carer receives:

• Income Support;
• Jobseeker's Allowance (income based);
• The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit;
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1999/ukpga_19990033_en_1); or
• Child Tax Credit, but are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and whose annual income (as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) does not exceed £15,575.

If you are unsure whether you qualify please phone 01634 331155.

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, £150 per term for the current year 2008 to 2009, 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.

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