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Original poster

Lea refusing to issue free bus pass

36 replies

vjg13 · 04/09/2014 15:21

Has anyone any experience with this? My daughter has just started y7 in a faith school more than 3 miles from home. The LEA normally issues a free pass but has refused my daughter's application. This is due to not attending a feeder school.

We had a poor experience with the feeder primary when my older disabled daughter attended and she had to leave because they could not meet her needs. We made the decision to send my younger daughter to local primary knowing she could later attend the faith high school.

The Lea are meant to be reviewing the application and if this is unsuccessful we can appeal later in the year.

OP posts:
Pico2 · 04/09/2014 16:16

Well it clearly isn't their policy in your case.

Original poster
vjg13 · 04/09/2014 16:14

Because that is their policy.

OP posts:
Pico2 · 04/09/2014 16:10

Why should you get an advantage in getting transport to your faith school while those of no faith can't get free transport except to their nearest school?

Original poster
vjg13 · 04/09/2014 16:08

Icy maiden, they still provide them here on distance criteria.

OP posts:
Original poster
vjg13 · 04/09/2014 16:07

We did have a very good reason for not using the only faith feeder primary in area because of the issues with my older child and I have provided them with evidence of Sunday school atendance and a 'religious reference'.

OP posts:
icymaiden · 04/09/2014 16:04

They used to provide bus passes for faith schools, but that has been scrapped now.

Whitershadeofpale · 04/09/2014 16:01

In that case I think their argument will be that it hasn't been important to you that she has a faith education and as such could have attended a nearer non faith school. As you've chosen to send her to a school further away the responsibility for funding it should come from you.

Original poster
vjg13 · 04/09/2014 15:57

No, just local one.

OP posts:
Whitershadeofpale · 04/09/2014 15:53

Was her primary school a faith one?

Original poster
vjg13 · 04/09/2014 15:50

It is the nearest school for that faith. Other kids that live very close by have been given a pass because they attended the feeder faith primary.

OP posts:
titchy · 04/09/2014 15:37

Could she have got into a closer school? There is no statutory requirement to provide free travel if that is the case, even to faith schools, although some still allow it if they go to the nearest faith school.