Transport to school

In general, the education authority has a duty to provide transport to school for its pupils. Transport can be provided in a number of different ways, from providing a contract taxi, to giving a bus pass, to paying travel expenses.

There are two exceptions to this general rule. The first is where the distance to school is less than the "statutory walking distance". That distance is three miles for children aged eight and over, or two miles for younger children.

The second exception applies where:

the education authority propose that the child attend their local (or catchment) school; and
they have offered transport to that school (if further than walking distance away); but
the child attends a different school because of a placing request.

It is important to note that not every placing request will bar a pupil from an entitlement to home/school transport. This is a complex area of law and professional legal advice may be required. The Govan Law Centre has been involved with several judicial review cases in the Court of Session concerning transport to school.

Transport Leaflets for Children and Young People

Getting to school PDF (63kb)
Getting to school (Chinese) PDF (158kb)
Getting to school (Punjabi) PDF (131kb)
Getting to school (Audio) RealMedia (225kb)
Getting to school (Audio) RealMedia (424kb)