school transport advice needed - please!!

[flootshoot]

Sorry, essay alert.

we moved in July, DS started reception in Sept. Owing to our late move we had to take what we were given but luckily I am very happy with the school. It's 2.6 miles away and as such we're entitled to help with transport and we're currently claiming mileage. DH drives in the morning but I pick DS up on foot/bike in the afternoon.

I found out there is a school minibus. We are in a different county to the school (we live in Surrey, school is in Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead) and the school has a catchment which we are outside of. Surrey have approached RBWM about the bus and they've agreed DS can have the last remaining place on the bus, BUT should a child within the catchment apply our place gets withdrawn at short notice. That all sounds fair enough to me.

I've asked Surrey if they would set up a taxi should we lose our bus place and the answer was no, since no other children go that way. They would return to paying us mileage.

Is this correct? I don't drive so while the mileage money comes in useful it's sod all use for getting home! There's NO bus that goes in our direction until 5pm, the train involves a twenty minute walk on either end. Our walking/cycling route home is along a country road which is poorly lit and the footpath changes sides so we have to cross several times with no crossing. Do they not have to make some sort of provision in this instance? I'm not even sure I'd want DS to get a taxi, but I can't stand being fobbed off.

Any input gratefully received!

Thanks.

No this is not correct. Under the Education Act 2006 Section 508B (4) they must provide transport unless you consent to an alternative arrangement such as mileage payments. The fact that there are no other children going that way is not your problem.

Thank you PRH, I suspected as much but having the specific section of the Act to refer to helps enormously.

Oops - got the date wrong. That should be Education Act 1996. Sorry. You might also want to mention Education and Inspections Act 2006 S77. That is what added S508B to the 1996 Act - if you look on www.legislation.gov.uk you have to look at the 2006 Act because they haven't updated the 1996 Act with the changes yet.

Thanks. I shall get my duelling gloves on!

Well further to this the bus seat has been withdrawn before it even began!! A taxi is being set up. I must say I'm not massively happy about my four year old coming home alone in a cab but hopefully I'll feel different once it's in place.

on a related note, my provisional driving licence is in the post!