If you’re worried about how to get your children to and from school, we might be able to help
Who we can help
Our transport to school guidance notesexplain who is eligible. We can only provide transport assistance for those who meet the criteria.
Please complete our travel assistance formif you meet the criteria.
When should I apply?
Please submit your application for home to school transport assistance by the relevant deadline date listed below to ensure that any transport assistance offered will be in place for the start of term September 2020.
Deadline dates
| In September 2020 my child will be starting | Deadline to submit transport application |
| reception year | 03/07/2020 |
| at a Junior school in Year 3 | 03/07/2020 |
| at a Middle school in Year 5 | 03/07/2020 |
| at a secondary school in Year 7 | 15/05/2020 |
| at an upper/studio school in Year 9 | 15/05/2020 |
If your child is staying at the same school and they still need transport assistance for the academic year 2020-2021 you will need to reapply by 05/06/2020.
Grammar Schools
Following changes in legislation and guidance (Education and Inspections Act 2006), we no longer have a general policy of providing free discretionary transport assistance to grammar schools.
Some families that are on a low income may qualify for support and other families can purchase a scholar’s pass direct from the bus company.
Please note that BCP Council no longer sells passes for buses to Parkstone and Poole Grammar Schools.
If you have already applied to BCP Council to purchase a scholar's pass for September 2020 onwards, you will need to reapply direct to the bus company. Where applications have already been received by BCP Council, the applicant will have been informed of this change in writing.
Passes are available from Go South Coast, for all school buses to Parkstone and Poole grammar schools except for the Yellow Bus 18. Yellow Buses have passes available for the H18 to Parkstone Grammar School.
Some families that are on a low income may qualify for support. If you wish to apply for a supported grammar bus pass for September 2020 onwards please complete our Transport Application Form - Grammar Schools 2020-2021.
Transport for Pupils with SEND
- If your child has an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) you can find more information about what may be available and how to apply on BCP Council's Local Offer. If you wish to apply please complete the SEND Application 2020-2021.
- This service is for children under 16 only. If your child is aged 16 or over you can find out about the type of transport support available in our Post 16 information
School buses
Find out about our school bus services.
Appeals
If you disagree with our decision, you can ask for this decision to be reviewed - appeal against the decision. Please contact The Free School Meals and Education Transport Team:
If you are unhappy with the decision made by the review panel, you can lodge an appeal with the Appeals Panel.
Feedback
If you have a comment about this service or you’re unhappy with the home to school transport service please contact the Free School Meals and Education Transport Team:
Making a complaint
If you wish to make a complaint, please contact the Free School Meals and Education Transport Team by email schoolmeals.transport@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.
We will try to resolve your complaint within 10 working days, but if your complaint is complicated it may take more time, in which case you will be advised of likely timescales.
Page last updated: 11 August 2020
