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School travel support

Travel assistance for children and young people in school and sixth form/college

It is a parent/carer's responsibility to ensure that their children are able to attend school regularly and on time. 

The council provides support with home to school travel only in exceptional circumstances. You would usually be expected to apply for your local schools, sixth form or college before any support would be considered.  

If you are not sure where your local schools are, please use our local school finder tool or visit Get Information about Schools - GOV.UK.

Nursery aged children are not entitled to any travel support.

Travel for those with an Education, Health or Care Plan (EHCP)

If the child or young person has an EHCP you should contact the Special Educational Needs team to find out more about school travel support.

Call 020 7364 5000 or email SpecialEducational.Needs@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Transport for London (TfL) offer free or discounted travel

Transport for London (TfL) operates a scheme of free and/or discounted travel in London for children under the age of 18 in full-time education.

This includes free travel on bus up to the age of 18 and half price travel on bus, DLR and underground for children aged 11 to 18 years.

For full details of the concessions available and to apply for a Zip card, please visit Free and discounted travel or call the Oyster helpline on 0343 222 1234.

Who can apply for travel assistance?

You must live in Tower Hamlets and require support that is not met by free public transport or other alternatives.

Travel assistance for children in primary and secondary school

Who is eligible?

The council has a duty to make travel arrangements as considered necessary in order to facilitate the school attendance of an ‘eligible’ [1] child. 

The child must be registered at a ‘qualifying school’ [2].

Eligible children are those of compulsory school age (5-16) who meet the following criteria:

  1. Statutory walking distance - children attending a school that is beyond two miles for a pupil under the age of 8 or three miles for children ages 8 or over
  2. Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or mobility problem - children who cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school because of their mobility problems or because of associated health and safety issues related to SEND, including temporary medical conditions. 
  3. Unsafe route - children who cannot be reasonably be expected to walk to school because of the nature of the route
  4. Extended rights eligibility - children entitled to free school meals or those whose parents are in receipt of their maximum level of Working Tax Credit and:
  • the school is beyond 2 miles (for children over the age of 8 and under 11)
  • the school is between 2 and 6 miles (if aged 11-16 and there are no suitable nearer schools)
  • The school is between 2 and 15 miles and is the nearest preferred on the grounds of religion or belief (aged 11-16)

[1] Schedule 35B of the Education Act 1996, as inserted by Part 6 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (the EIA 2006)

[2] Section 508B(10) of the Education Act 1996, as inserted by Part 6 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (the EIA 2006).

Travel assistance for students in further education
(16-18+ year olds)

The council also provides travel assistance to enable young people (over 16) in further education to access and attend the education and training of their choice.

Who is eligible?

Young people can apply for travel assistance if they meet the following criteria: 

  • are a resident of Tower Hamlets
  • are aged 16-18 or a 'continuing learner' who started their course before their 19th birthday
  • are attending a full-time course in a maintained school sixth form/college or other establishment. 
  • are attending the nearest maintained establishment at which the course, or the majority of the course is offered (i.e. at least 50 per cent of the course).
  • If the young person is attending a specialist course, this must be one that ends with a nationally recognised vocational qualification such as BTEC or NVQ
  • the establishment is over three miles from the young person’s home address
  • their parents’ taxable income was £18,210 or less in the last financial year

The post-16 transport policy statement

The transport policy statement provides information and advice for young people in Year 11-13 and their parents/carers about travel arrangements and support available locally. 

It outlines who is eligible for support and how and when to apply for support.  

Download the transport policy statement

Additional information

  • It can take up to 30 days for an application to be processed
  • The child or young person must be registered at the 'qualifying school', learning or training provider
  • Any delays or failure to provide supporting information may affect the outcome of the application
  • Please refer to the application form and guidance notes for further details 

Read the council’s travel assistance policy.

How do I apply?

You can download the form or contact us for a hard copy.

Please read the guidance notes before completing the application.

Contact the School Admissions service 

By email

We normally respond to emails within five working days. It may take longer during busy periods.

Please do not email us about the status of your application until the relevant time has passed. 

You can contact the admissions service using the following details.

Email: School.Admissions@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Tel: 020 7364 0573

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