Transport to school

As a general rule, parents are responsible for getting their own children to school, even if they have additional needs. There are circumstances when your child or young person may be entitled to help with transport. 

The four main categories of eligibility for travel assistance to school are:

• Children living beyond the statutory walking distance from school
• Children from families on low-income who have extended rights to travel assistance to a choice of schools.
• Children who cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school due to unsafe walking routes
• Children who cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school due to special educational needs, disability (SEND), and mobility problems.

Other family circumstances, such as parents and carers attending work or looking after other children, will not normally be considered when determining eligibility.

The Home to School Travel Assistance Policy section of the Sutton Information Hub explains who can receive assistance with travel from home to school and how to apply for that assistance. 

Children who are eligible for travel assistance to school will be supported by Cognus’ Assisted Transport team. 

Sustainable travel

We have a duty to encourage and facilitate travel to school in an environmentally sustainable way. 

We work with all schools in the borough to help them do this in accordance with Sutton's School Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy (PDF).

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format please email us at webadmin@sutton.gov.uk and let us know what format you need the document to be provided and we will try to meet your request.