Education under 16
Are unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) and children of asylum seekers entitled to free school transport?
The Education Department of each local authority (LA) has a duty to provide free transport if they consider it necessary in order to enable a pupil, including UASC and children of asylum seekers, to attend school. This will always be the case for a child of compulsory school age who attends the nearest suitable school if it is beyond statutory walking distance (usually 3 miles). Other cases are decided upon their own merits (such as special needs, religion, road safety etc) and LAs have considerable discretion in the decision process. If a child does not qualify for free transport, LAs may provide financial assistance towards the cost of travel [1]
For further information contact your Local Authority.
Contact the National Education Law Advice Line for free advice and information on all matters relating to education law on 0845 345 4345
Revised 25/01/08
Notes
[1] See s.509 and s.444 Education Act 1996
