What am I supposed to do RE School?

[Soubriquet]

We no longer have a car. We cannot afford to replace it either which means we can no longer get the dc to school.

dd has council transport but it’s from the local town rather than our actual destination, which means she has to get the 7am bus, to get into town, in order to catch her 8am bus to school. Then the reverse happens and she doesn’t get home will gone 5. Purely because of the times plus it’s going to cost us £15 a week!!

ds on the other hand is still at primary school and his school is not in any form of walking distance, nor is there a bus that goes that way. The council has also declined us for transport (which I will appeal) because it’s not the nearest school. I’m aware it isn’t the nearest but he’s in year 6! Am I really supposed to transfer schools for 5 months, fork out for new uniforms, and uproot a child who is on the ECHP and SEN plan at his school? Where they know how to handle him?

It’s a bloody nightmare. He’s been absent the last two days because we genuinely cannot get him to school!!

We are in the process of talking to both schools to see if we can come up with a solution

I can see a huge problem for your oldest on the timings - I had a longer day in high school, needs must sometimes. If the cost is the challenge that’s a different problem but the schedule seems fine.

Transport for your child with additional needs is more difficult. What’s the plan for high school? Is this a problem for a few months or for years?

I really feel for you OP. This sounds so hard. Hopefully school will be able to give you some ideas. DD might just have to keep doing the double bus round trip, but DS should be entitled to support as the school is named on his EHCP. It’s only for the last few months of his last year of primary anyway! I would also have a look to see if you might be eligible for a grant: https://portal-grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/survey/1/21aa2c1c-41a6-4888-b354-8037653b8310?portal=true&id=family_fund_live&utm_source=family_fund_live&utm_medium=iFrame&utm_campaign=GSPortal%20
Do you claim for DLA for DS?

Loads of kids who live in rural areas have long commutes to school so your eldest can do that too.
You’ll have to come up with a way for getting your youngest to school for 5 months, or he’ll have to change schools.

The cost of both commute though would probably pay for a car.

Have you told the school the actual reason he isn't there? Called the education department to inform them? Hopefully one of them can help in the short term while a proper plan is made.

I think I will have to accept about DD. We got transport for her simply because it’s where the council put her. It wasn’t on our list of schools, it wasn’t our nearest, but she’s thriving there. It’s a pain that the entire trip can’t be funded but at least she has that

It’s just ds’s we have the problem with. But I’m going to go and see CA today, and see what they suggest.

Does the EHCP mention anything about transport

I agree - my daughter did the same for seven years, and it wasn’t an issue. She developed a separate set of friends on the school bus and train and the journey also gave her an opportunity to catch up on work.

I wouldn’t move DS if he goes to secondary in September. How far is it? Could he cycle? You can get very cheap bikes on Facebook marketplace.

I think it sounds like a long day!

Especially when there is still homework to do!

Would your daughter be able to bike into town to meet the 8am bus or wouldn't that help?

It’s 10 miles from home to ds’s school.

Its 25 miles from home to DD’s school

do you want the council to provide your children with a taxi?
Were you forced to move to your new place?

That would help actually. Means she wouldn’t have to leave so early. It’s something we are going to have to look into.
There are bike sheds at the train station which is a 5 min walk from the bus stop. There’s also bike rails at Sainsburys which is only a few minutes from the bus stop, so there are places for the bike to be locked up

It is a long day, but also isn’t massively unusual for people commuting to a secondary school out of catchment.

Lots of working parents kids are at school from 7am to 6pm getting home 6:30. Distance to school and budget for transport is something you prepare for as a parent as a priority.

Sounds so tough for you all. Disability benefits are utterly inadequate.

Definitely get advice from CAB or a debt advice charity (StepChange etc). You may be entitled to a car if several family members have disabilities.

Are there any families at DS’s school who live nearby, who could give him a lift? If it’s Year 6, it’s only for a few months.

No I'm sure it's not that unusual.

I know I was very lucky as I lived nearby & was home about 4.

Could often have homework done by 6 (if I applied myself!) then evening meal & time to myself.

But I still remember it often just seeming like school/homework/bed!

If they are Sen I’m assuming they get child disability payment , you should I use it to finance transportation. As everyone else does . Between Al my kids I do 120 miles a day ( going and returning ) to drop them , my sons who is autistic is the furthest away so his pip is for that .

Yes you’re right I’m sorry

Also OP, contact your local councillors and MP at their advice surgeries. That’s what they’re there for.

Why are you living 25 miles from school? I think honestly you need to move house. You’re both not working and you need to live nearer the school or get some income and a car.

> Ring the school. They may be able to suggest a solution, even temporary. At the very least, they can support your appeal with written evidence.

> Did you request temporary transport due to parental illness (as your dh has only recently been signed off)? This is far, far, far more likely to be approved than a normal transport application. 5 months to July would count as temporary. It's under 6 months I believe. A normal transport application isn't going to get approved if it's not your nearest school, the threshold for extenuating circumstances is too high, even with an EHCP. Re-do your application for transport under temporary travel assistance due to parental illness.

> Have you investigated bad-credit car finance? It's obviously not the best option, but it's an option. Car giant or similar big used car dealers often have someone on site who can guide you through it.

She said that was the school her child was allocated.

He tap can’t afford a car and your solution is to move house?! The cost of moving would buy them 2 cars!

I think your only option really is to change DS to a closer primary to remove the transport burden.

Do you get high rate mobility allowance? You can get a car on the mobility scheme.

Is there no way of you or your husband picking up a part time job to fund a cheap run around?