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Transport: Schools

Asked by James NaishLabourDepartment for EducationTabled Answered 16 June 2026UIN 4523

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions her Department has had with the Department for Transport on aligning school admissions policy with school transport policy to ensure that families who secure a school place are not disadvantaged by transport eligibility rules.

Answered by Olivia Bailey

The department’s home to school travel policy aims to make sure no child is prevented from accessing education by a lack of transport. Children of compulsory school age are eligible for free travel if they attend their nearest suitable school and would not be able to walk there because of the distance, their special educational needs, disability or mobility problems or the safety of the route. There are extended rights to free travel for low-income families to help them exercise school choice. We do not currently have any plans to change the existing statutory framework.

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