Home to School Transport

Concessionary Travel Scheme

Severe Weather Conditions

Home to School Transport

Northumberland County Council serves a wide geographical area, incorporating diverse rural and urban communities. Many pupils live at a distance from their school. The County Council has a statutory duty to provide free home to school transport, or where appropriate, pay the cost of such transport when:

• Pupils of first school age live more than two miles away from their designated catchment area school by the nearest available route;
• Pupils of middle and high school age live more than three miles away from their designated catchment area school by the nearest available route.  

Children with disabilities and/or special educational needs have the same entitlement to home to school transport as any other pupil within the education system. The County Council may also provide free home to school transport as an adjustment to a disability in cases where the child lives within the statutory walking distance of the school. For further information please refer to the Home to School Transport Policy for Disabled Children and Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

Concessionary Travel Scheme

Where spare seats are available on home to school transport vehicles contracted by the County Council, children not entitled to free home to school transport may be allowed to travel on a fare paying basis. Please contact us for more information.

Severe Weather Conditions

During periods of severe weather there may be School closures or disruption to your child's Home to School Transport.

In these circumstances do you know what to do?

Here are some tips:

               Listen to the Local Radio Stations -

• Go to the Northumberland County Council Website - http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/ The County Council will continuously update news on the front page
• Ring the County Council Schools helpline - 01670 534164 (press 2) A recorded message will give up-to-date information on school/road closures as we receive it

In extreme cases a school may have to close during the day due to the severe weather and your child will be sent home early.

Do you have a procedure in place for the care of your child until you arrive home?

You could:

• Make arrangements with a relative or close friend to care for your child until you are able to get home.
• Inform the school and transport provider of these arrangements as it may be necessary for your child to seek alternative transportation from school
• Make sure the School and Transport provider have an "In Case of Emergency" contact telephone number

Above all, make sure your child is aware of the arrangements