A wide-ranging review of school transport changes brought in two years ago has thrown up a series of proposed improvements that could benefit families.
The review follows a September 2024 policy change, switching the basis for free travel eligibility away from a pupil’s catchment school and onto simply their closest school. Anyone already getting free transport under the old rules held onto it, with the new rules only kicking in for pupils starting or moving schools after that point. The council provides home-to-school transport for around 11,000 eligible pupils across England’s largest county, many in deeply rural areas, at a cost of more than £52 million a year.
The review concluded the policy is broadly working as intended — creating a fairer, more consistent approach to eligibility, staying in line with national guidance, and on course to deliver the savings originally planned — while acknowledging some families have struggled under the new arrangements and identifying scope for improvement.
Listening to families
Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, executive member for education, learning and skills, said: “We know that school travel arrangements are incredibly important to families and that the changes introduced in 2024 have affected some households more than others. When the policy changed, we promised to review how it was working in practice and to listen to the experiences of families.
“That is exactly what we have done. We have carefully considered feedback from parents and carers, schools and other stakeholders, alongside appeals, complaints and operational data. The review shows the policy is meeting its objectives, but it has also highlighted areas where we can make improvements. We are committed to learning from people’s experiences and ensuring families have clearer information and a better experience of the service.”
Among 24 recommendations in total, the review calls for fixing practical issues on a small number of routes, removing five routes and their footpaths from the mapping system on suitability grounds — Fleet Moss Road, Keld to Kirkby Stephen, Buttertubs Pass, The Stang and Kidstone Pass — better mapping and route information, a stronger appeals process, clearer explanation of how routes and distances get assessed, and improved communication with families more generally, covering policy wording, communications, appeals, mapping and day-to-day operations.
It also recommends keeping several existing arrangements in place, including basing eligibility on a child’s nearest suitable school with available places.
No changes have been agreed yet, and the current policy remains in force while the recommendations are considered — it will still apply to families applying for a Reception or Year 7 place starting September 2027, and to any in-year applications during the 2026/2027 school year.
Discretionary powers
Cllr Wilkinson said: “Families should continue to make school preference decisions based on existing arrangements while the decision-making process is completed. To support families during the transition period, we will continue to use the appeals process and discretionary powers in exceptional cases. This means support can be considered where specific routes or circumstances cause difficulties, rather than waiting for any future policy changes to take effect.”
Any approved changes wouldn’t take effect before September 2027, applying to children starting Reception and Year 7 in September 2028. The report goes before the council’s children and families overview and scrutiny committee on Wednesday 16 September, followed by the executive on Friday 18 September; if the executive agrees, a six-week public consultation would follow later this month, with feedback and recommendations then considered at a full council meeting in November.
