School Travel Service
When choosing a school place, it is important to think about how your child, student or adult learner will travel to and from school each day. Most families organise their own home to school journey, like walking, cycling, using public transport or lift-sharing with other families.
However, we have a duty to support children, students or adult learners with their school journey, providing they meet specific criteria for this support.
View our guide to the School Travel Service for parent carers, co-produced with the Parent Carer Forum.
Remember: Assessment for travel assistance will be determined once a school place has been allocated by Southampton City Council at a suitable school. Means tested applicants and those applying under exceptional circumstances need to apply before the start of each new school year.
Who is eligible for the School Travel Service?
This depends on the age of the child, student or adult learner, the distance from home to school, and whether any ‘extended rights’ apply. If you are unfamiliar with these terms you may wish to read more about the UK education system.
Children attending a mainstream school
There are two age groups that determine what criteria apply for children:
- In Reception and under eight years old
- Over eight years old and under 16 years old
Students and adult learners between 16–25 years old
There are two types of support available to students who live in Southampton and are of sixth form age. This is managed via a different application process.
Find out more about travel support for students and adult learners between 16–25 years old.
Children or students with an Education, Health and Care Plan
Applications involving those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will be assessed by the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) team.
Find out more about travel support for those with an EHCP.
If you do not qualify or meet the requirements you may wish to view the alternative options.
Policy and eligibility criteria
For more information you can read our Home to School Transport Policy and eligibility criteria:
| Document | Type | Size |
|---|---|---|
| School Travel Service eligibility criteria | 120.5 KB | |
| Home to school transport policy | 910.9 KB |
Contact us
If your child or young person is eligible for mainstream home to school transport find out how to apply. You can also view the latest updates for this service or read our frequently asked questions.
Children and young people with disabilities or special educational needs
If your child or young person has a disability or special educational needs, you can view the eligibility criteria to find out if you are eligible for the School Travel Service.
To discuss eligibility further, you can contact us by:
- Telephone: 023 8083 3013
- Email: 0-25service@southampton.gov.uk
Co-ordinating travel arrangements
If you require assistance regarding co-ordination of travel arrangements for the School Travel Service, please contact us by:
- Telephone: 023 8083 2419
- Email: travel.coordination@southampton.gov.uk
Help with other issues
If you are experiencing issues with the School Travel Service, please call our dedicated helpline on 023 8083 2419.
Suppliers wishing to work with us can find out more on Information for School Travel Service suppliers.
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