From September 2008 Essex County Council is adopting new policies outlined in the Education and Inspections Act 2006.  Local Authorities are now required to provide home to school transport assistance to those students identified as being from Low Income Families.  Low income families are defined in the Act as those with an entitlement to Free School Meals or in receipt of Maximum Level Working Tax Credit.  Where a student is attending one of three nearest schools to their home address and they reside between two and six miles from those schools, providing they are in receipt of qualifying benefits above, transport will be provided.  An example of this is outlined below.

Example one:

Family entitled to Free School Meals or in receipt of Maximum Level Working Tax Credit:

School One                     2.1 miles from home to school
School Two                    3.5 miles from home to school
School Three                  4.7 miles from home to school

The student would be entitled to receive home to school transport to any of the qualifying schools above.

Example two:

School One                    1.1 miles from home to school
School Two                   3.5 miles from home to school
School Three                 6.7 miles from home to school

The student would be entitled to receive home to school transport to School Two only.  School One is considered to be under distance from the home address and School Three is over six miles so they would not be entitled to assistance.

The transport award is for one academic year only.  Families will be asked to provide evidence of their qualifying benefit in order for transport to continue in subsequent academic years.

For more information pleace contact Essex County Council on 0845 603 2200.