{
    "componentChunkName": "component---src-templates-post-js",
    "path": "/news/school-transport",
    "result": {"data":{"wpPost":{"title":"School Transport: Free Travel and Help with Costs","content":null,"uri":"/news/school-transport/","id":"cG9zdDo5NjE0","date":"20 Aug 2026","author":{"node":{"name":"Reuben"}},"flexLayouts":{"pageLayouts":[{"__typename":"WpPost_Flexlayouts_PageLayouts_PostHeader","postTitle":"School Transport","blurb":"Free travel and help with costs","image":{"altText":"Traveller heritage illustration","sourceUrl":"https://wp-main.travellermovement.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png","localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","placeholder":{"fallback":"data:image/png;base64,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"},"images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/530c8/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png","srcSet":"/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/06aef/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png 267w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/3e2b8/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png 534w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/530c8/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png 1068w","sizes":"(min-width: 1068px) 1068px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/dd357/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.avif 267w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/38e95/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.avif 534w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/dda96/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.avif 1068w","type":"image/avif","sizes":"(min-width: 1068px) 1068px, 100vw"},{"srcSet":"/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/59a99/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.webp 267w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/92f1f/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.webp 534w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/48142/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.webp 1068w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 1068px) 1068px, 100vw"}]},"width":1068,"height":460}}}}},{"__typename":"WpPost_Flexlayouts_PageLayouts_PlainText","heading":null,"text":"<p>There are many reasons a family may need help with school travel costs. Distance or location may be an issue; a child may have special educational or physical needs; or, if your child has been bullied, you may have chosen a different school further away. These and other reasons may be grounds for applying for help with school transport.</p>\n","padding":{"top":"pt-0","bottom":"pb-11"},"alignment":"\"\""},{"__typename":"WpPost_Flexlayouts_PageLayouts_PlainText","heading":"When a child qualifies for free transport","text":"<p>Children of compulsory school age qualify for free transport to their nearest suitable school if any of these apply:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>The school is more than 2 miles away and the child is under 8.</li>\n<li>The school is more than 3 miles away and the child is 8 or older.</li>\n<li>There is no safe walking route between home and school.</li>\n<li>The child cannot walk because of special educational needs, a disability or mobility issues, whatever the distance.</li>\n<li>Extra rights for low-income families</li>\n</ul>\n<p>There are additional rights for families who are on low-incomes, who will be able to access transport support.</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Your child is aged 8 to 11: attending their nearest suitable school and it is at least 2 miles away.</li>\n<li>Your child is aged 11 to 16: attending a school 2 to 6 miles away, if it is one of their 3 nearest suitable schools.</li>\n<li>Your child is aged 11 to 16: attending a school 2 to 15 miles away, if it was chosen because of religion or belief.</li>\n<li>Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish, Scottish and Welsh Traveller families</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish, Scottish and Welsh Traveller children may face unique challenges in accessing education, including distance from sites, frequent moves, or a school place that is not the nearest. You may be entitled to support on a case-by-case basis. If your child is 16 or over and still in education, ask your council about its post-16 transport policy. We encourage families to seek advice if they are unsure about eligibility or the application process.</p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n","padding":{"top":"pt-0","bottom":"pb-11"},"alignment":"\"\""},{"__typename":"WpPost_Flexlayouts_PageLayouts_PlainText","heading":"How to apply (and what to do if refused)","text":"<ol>\n<li>Find your council’s school transport policy by searching “school transport” plus your council’s name, or start at www.gov.uk/free-school-transport</li>\n<li>Gather evidence: proof of address and benefits, details of your child’s needs, or evidence that there is no safe walking route.</li>\n<li>Apply before the school year starts &#8211; councils have deadlines. Keep copies of everything you send.</li>\n<li>If you are refused you can appeal the decision. Every council must have a review and appeals process. Contact The Traveller Movement if you need support to challenge a decision.</li>\n</ol>\n","padding":{"top":"pt-0","bottom":"pb-11"},"alignment":"\"\""},{"__typename":"WpPost_Flexlayouts_PageLayouts_CardBlock","sectionHeading":"Further reading on support at school and travel","cards":[{"image":{"altText":"Traveller heritage illustration","sourceUrl":"https://wp-main.travellermovement.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png","localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/e1c18/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png","srcSet":"/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/3e2c9/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png 105w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/299df/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png 210w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/e1c18/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png 420w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/a4ca7/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png 840w","sizes":"(min-width: 420px) 420px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/29cbb/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.avif 105w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/e5400/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.avif 210w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/07bdd/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.avif 420w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/d84b3/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.avif 840w","type":"image/avif","sizes":"(min-width: 420px) 420px, 100vw"},{"srcSet":"/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/aeb82/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.webp 105w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/55429/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.webp 210w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/8ba40/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.webp 420w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/cce4f/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.webp 840w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 420px) 420px, 100vw"}]},"width":420,"height":243}}}},"heading":"Download our report","text":"Our free school travel report","link":{"title":"View and download","url":"https://wp-main.travellermovement.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/School-Transport-Guide-The-Traveller-Movement-1.pdf"}},{"image":{"altText":"Traveller heritage illustration","sourceUrl":"https://wp-main.travellermovement.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png","localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/e1c18/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png","srcSet":"/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/3e2c9/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png 105w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/299df/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png 210w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/e1c18/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png 420w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/a4ca7/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png 840w","sizes":"(min-width: 420px) 420px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/29cbb/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.avif 105w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/e5400/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.avif 210w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/07bdd/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.avif 420w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/d84b3/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.avif 840w","type":"image/avif","sizes":"(min-width: 420px) 420px, 100vw"},{"srcSet":"/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/aeb82/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.webp 105w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/55429/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.webp 210w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/8ba40/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.webp 420w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/cce4f/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.webp 840w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 420px) 420px, 100vw"}]},"width":420,"height":243}}}},"heading":"Read more about support","text":"Support in general","link":{"title":"Additional school support and benefits","url":"https://travellermovement.org.uk/education-for-change/school-support-and-benefits/"}}],"padding":{"top":"pt-0","bottom":"pb-11"}}]},"seo":{"seoComponents":null}}},"pageContext":{"uri":"/news/school-transport/","date":"20 Aug 2026","numericDate":"20260820","title":"School Transport: Free Travel and Help with Costs","id":"cG9zdDo5NjE0","slug":"school-transport","link":"https://travellermovement.org.uk/news/school-transport/","categories":{"nodes":[{"name":"Education"},{"name":"News"}]},"flexLayouts":{"pageLayouts":[{"postTitle":"School Transport","blurb":"Free travel and help with costs","image":{"altText":"Traveller heritage illustration","sourceUrl":"https://wp-main.travellermovement.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png","localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/29005/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png","srcSet":"/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/28106/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png 258w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/42ffd/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png 516w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/29005/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.png 1032w","sizes":"(min-width: 1032px) 1032px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/b4941/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.avif 258w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/b56e8/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.avif 516w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/70cd8/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.avif 1032w","type":"image/avif","sizes":"(min-width: 1032px) 1032px, 100vw"},{"srcSet":"/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/a776a/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.webp 258w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/528d8/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.webp 516w,\n/static/8c6f4b1f6caf682409de224188b0e1c6/3abaa/Screenshot-2022-05-05-at-03.32.01.webp 1032w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 1032px) 1032px, 100vw"}]},"width":1032,"height":444.00000000000006}}}}},{},{},{},{}]},"breadcrumb":{"location":"/news/school-transport","crumbs":[{"pathname":"/","crumbLabel":"Home"},{"pathname":"/news","crumbLabel":"news"},{"pathname":"/news/school-transport","crumbLabel":"school-transport"}]}}},
    "staticQueryHashes": ["1023626402","1121864969","2186305452","2392720032","2920111332","3108305089"]}