Transport for Primary Aged Pupils
For Darlington children of primary age, free transport will only be provided to the nearest suitable school over 2 miles from the parental address.
Note: The nearest suitable school is the nearest available school which offers an efficient full-time programme of education suited to the age, ability and aptitude of the child.
Should a child's permanent home address change, the eligibility for transport will be considered by the Local Authority after satisfactory evidence is provided.
Transport for Secondary Aged Pupils at Year of Entry
Free home to school transport is available for Darlington pupils of compulsory school age if the family are in receipt of free school meals or full working tax credits:
1 of their 3 nearest appropriate and/or suitable Community or Foundation schools, should a pupil obtain a place at that school and if that school is more than 2 miles and less than 6 from the parent/carers home using the shortest walking route judged to be safe;
1 of their 3 nearest appropriate Voluntary Aided (church) school for pupils whose parent/carers adhere to that particular demonation and who obtain a place at such a school and where that school is more than 2 miles but less than 15 from the parent/carers home using the shortest walking route judged to be safe.
Notes: The nearest suitable school is the nearest available school which offers an efficient full-time programme of education suited to the age, ability and aptitude of the child.
Associated Transport
Certain areas are linked to particular schools to secure admission for the pupils in those areas and to limit travel costs. These arrangements are referred to as ‘Associated Transport Provision’ the areas from which transport is provided is listed below each school:
Hummersknott School & Language College
Skerne Park Estate in Darlington, High Coniscliffe, Piercebridge, the Teesdale approaches to Darlington, the ‘Chestnuts’ estate and the Heighington area.
Hurworth School, Maths & Computing College
Middleton St George, Middleton One Row, Neasham, Bishopton, Sadberge, Great Stainton, Little Stainton Sockburn, Low Dinsdale and Hurworth Moor.
Longfield Comprehensive School
The Brafferton area.
The Authority reserves the right to consult with parents/carers and the diocesan authorities in arriving at decisions on individual cases and will request parents/carers to produce the appropriate baptismal certificates.
Concessionary Arrangements
Darlington pupils who are not entitled to free transport may be offered a “concessionary” seat on a school contract vehicle if a spare seat is available. There are few (if any) seats available as the number of concessionary seats is extremely limited. Where seats are made available they will be at the discretion of the Authority and will be subject to strict conditions and may be withdrawn at any time. Although there is currently no charge for a concessionary seat, it is possible that a charge could be introduced in the future.
Following a Change of Address
Where parent/carers move house, the Authority may be prepared to assist with travelling expenses to enable pupils who live in Darlington in their fourth and fifth years of secondary school (Years 10 and 11 national curriculum) to continue to attend the same school. These arrangements will not be extended if pupils continue onto post-compulsory education after 16 years of age.
Darlington Borough Council reserves the right to amend the Home to School Transport Policy, if necessary.
For further information please contact the School Transport Section, Children’s Services, Town Hall, Darlington, Telephone (01325) 387485/347540.
Transport for Pupils of Post-Compulsory School Age
Travel assistance maybe provided for the full duration of the course to those Darlington students who are over compulsory school age but under the age of 19, or who have commenced a course before the age of 19. The student should be attending a full-time course at the institution closest to their home address, which can provide their chosen course of study. To receive assistance the institution must be more than three miles by the shortest walking route from the student’s home address. Those pupils living outside the area of Darlington or attending a college where the course is not available locally will be eligible for increased travel assistance.
For further information contact the Post 16 Transport Section, Children’s Services, Town Hall, Darlington, DL1 5QT, Telephone (01325) 347485/347540.