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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Cab service for school runs

15 replies

247workingmum · 07/09/2021 19:53

Hi all,

This is my first post. Glad to have joined this network.

I have recently relocated to UK and currently living in Tunbridge wells. Mon son just got into skinners kent academy for secondary schooling.

I do not have a drivers license yet it's taking along time. He is really finding it very difficult to travel to school. There isn't any school transport. They have asked to look for local bus s which operates. Bus Timings are not matching and I am ending up spending almost 4 hours daily in picking and dropping him. It's definitely not a walkable distance from our residence.Can anyone suggest affordable cab service to resolve this issue or how can I take this up with Kent council? Pls advise

Regards

OP posts:

LIZS · 07/09/2021 21:17

How far is it? Most secondary pupils travel independently but LA can arrange transport over a distance if that is the nearest available school. Do any other pupils travel the same route?

Nowfeeltheneedtopost · 07/09/2021 22:15

Hi OP. I don't know the area well although my brother and sister in law are close so I thought I'd ask them and google! According to google maps, Tunbridge Wells to Skinners is a 33 mins walk or a 23 mins bus journey taking the 277. I'm therefore struggling to understand why you/your DS is having difficulties. Obviously, if he has special needs of any kind then I appreciate the situation may be very different.

Lockdowndramaqueen · 08/09/2021 06:44

Could he cycle or could you cycle together - might be better than badly timed buses.

PeskyRooks · 08/09/2021 06:55

The council will have an education transport department. You can download an application form to apply for it. Criteria might vary council to council but in my area the school has to be either the nearest school or the catchment school. It has to be 2 miles away. If on a normal bus route or a school bus provided you'll get a bus pass if not they may provide a taxi. Your school should also have a person who deals with transport issues give them a ring!
If you are pupil premium it's easier to get transport so if you are eligible make sure you apply and tell them at the council.

coconutcurls · 08/09/2021 06:57

The streets of Tunbridge Wells are usually overrun from 7.30 onwards of pupils walking to SKA. Depending on where you are in TWells, can he walk?

idontlikealdi · 08/09/2021 06:58

Is there a reason he can't walk?

Ylvamoon · 08/09/2021 07:05

Walk or cycle, teach him independence!
(Do some practice run at the weekend - my DC walk 25 minutes to secondary school)

Leave the taxi for rainy days or emergencies!

Zodlebud · 08/09/2021 07:14

My friend moved from abroad and had the same problem. She came from the a state in the USA where you literally don’t walk anywhere because 1) it’s too hot and 2) the sidewalks are limited.

She was amazed by the fact that Brits walk so much. Even more floored by the fact that a half hour walk to and from school is considered normal. It took time for her to get her head around it, she was worried about safety in particular, but then realised that literally hundreds of other kids are doing the same.

Once she got her licence she only took them / picked them up on the day her daughter had her cello lesson and when it was tipping it down with rain.

Skyeheather · 08/09/2021 07:27

How are you spending four hours a day getting him to school?

How far is the walk? My son is five, I don't drive so his walk to school is 45 minutes each way, he walks it no problem obviously with me because he's five but surely your son can walk on his own?

Where I live you can claim free travel if it's the nearest school or your catchment school, the school office should be able to help you apply if this is the case.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 08/09/2021 07:45

Is there anyone local who goes to the school who he could walk with a few times to get to know the route?

UserAtLargeAgain · 08/09/2021 07:59

It's really normal for secondary school children in the UK to walk up to 3 miles (and if the school is further than that you may be eligible for free school transport) or to cycle even further. If the school is much further away than that, it may be worth your while appealing for a closer secondary school.

Frazzled2207 · 08/09/2021 08:03

How far is it?
If not walkable is it cycleable?

EmmaGrundyForPM · 08/09/2021 08:07

How far is it? If it's the nearest school and it's further than 3 miles then the Council should provide transport. If you've chosen a school that is not the nearest then it's your responsibility to get your child to school.

clary · 08/09/2021 08:15

OP I agree with others, a walk of up to two miles or 30 ish minutes is totally normal for secondary pupils. How far is it? You qualify for free transport if it's more than three miles (not two miles as a pp said). Is it that far? If so, and buses are unworkable, the council will provide a taxi, unless there was a nearer school with places.

PeskyRooks · 08/09/2021 08:35

Apologies @clary is right, 3 miles for secondary 2 miles is for under eight years old.

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