Appendix B Proposed Changes to School Transport Results From The Second Consultation Home to school transport policy for students aged 11-14 Home to school transport policy for students aged 16+ The proposed transition arrangements July 2014 Research and Insight Team Leicestershire County Council 1 Sharon Pye Divya Patel Research Manager Research Officer Research & Insight Team Research & Insight Team Strategy, Partnerships & Communities Strategy, Partnerships & Communities Leicestershire County Council Leicestershire County Council County Hall, Glenfield County Hall, Glenfield Leicester LE3 8RB Leicester LE3 8RB Tel 0116 305 7413 Tel 0116 305 7257 Email [email protected] Email [email protected] Produced by the Research and Insight Team at Leicestershire County Council. With support from: Environment and Transport, Leicestershire County Council Communications Team, Leicestershire County Council Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this report, Leicestershire County Council cannot be held responsible for any errors or omission relating to the data contained within the report. 2 Contents This report sets out the findings from the second consultation on proposed changes to Leicestershire County Council’s transport Page No. policy which took place between 28th April and 16th June 2014 in Introduction 1 context of the findings from the first consultation. Background 1 Methodology 4 Report Overview 4 The aim of this report is to understand different opinions on Headline Findings 5 Leicestershire County Council’s revised proposals for changes to Detailed Findings 5 transport policy relating to home to school transport for mainstream Respondent profile 17 schools. Appendix One - Questionnaire (web) 20 Appendix Two - Questionnaire (paper) 23 As before, the results from this consultation will be used to inform the recommendations of the Cabinet Report and the subsequent Introduction redrafting of the transport policy. During February and March 2014 Leicestershire County Council ran a Background consultation on proposed changes to its home to school transport policy. Just over 2,000 responses were received along with a number The current policy: of alternative policy suggestions. It was clear from these responses Schools in Leicestershire have two stages of secondary education that there were a number of concerns about the proposals. (covering 11-16 years of age) up to GCSE level, with high schools for 10/11-14 year olds and upper schools for 15-16 year olds. The main concerns voiced were: the ability to express preference for a traditional catchment Transport and catchment areas have developed over time to take school rather than a nearer school that could be in a account of traditional boundaries and school capacity. This was to neighbouring local authority ensure that high and upper schools had enough students to fill the that appropriate transport should be provided when pupils school. In practice, this meant that pupils were transported to change school, taking into account the different ages at which schools with space and not necessarily their nearest school. The pupils transfer into secondary education (either at 10 or 11 current policy (http://www.leics.gov.uk/ years old) school_and_college_transport_entitlement_policy) states that free transport is offered to: These concerns and suggestions were listened to and where possible primary school pupils who attend the catchment area the proposals were adjusted to accommodate them. A second school for their home address (or other nearer school) consultation was then run. and the distance is more than 2 miles and 1 secondary school pupils who attend the catchment area free transport to the nearest Leicestershire school, with places school for their home address (or other nearer school) available. A school will not be seen as appropriate if it doesn’t and the distance is more than 3 miles. offer a transfer entry point that is compatible with the current school attended by the pupil But, Why the current policy needs to change: where there have been no changes to catchments or age The impact of schools locally moving to academy status and coming ranges since May 2012 to continue free transport to the out of council control means that Leicestershire County Council is catchment school in those areas having to consider a change in the current policy. The reasons being: Some academies have already changed their admission catchment areas – a decision made independently from These new proposals will exceed the legal duty we have to the council. provide transport over the statutory distance to the nearest school. Some schools and academies have changed already, or This doesn’t prevent parents from choosing a different school for are considering a change, to an 11-16 age range. (This their child but it does mean that transport will not be free if the means that high schools currently taking 10 or 11 - 14 year school chosen is not the nearest. olds will also take 15 - 16 year olds and upper schools taking 15-16 year olds will also take 11 - 14 year olds). The likely impact: These changes to age ranges mean the catchment area is The likely impact of our proposals is that free transport to primary also changed, resulting in a number of transport eligibility schools will remain largely unchanged. But for areas where age areas overlapping. range and/or catchment areas have changed since May 2012 then transport will be provided to the nearest school or nearest The changes we are now proposing: Leicestershire school. To take into account the change to traditional catchment areas, we were proposing that free transport for pupils over the statutory For those schools that have not changed admissions areas or age walking distances (2 miles for primary age and 3 miles for secondary ranges, transport will continue to be provided from their traditional age) is given only to the nearest school (or educational placement) geographic catchment area school or to the nearest school until with available spaces to the pupil’s home address. The nearest school such time as a change occurs within these areas. This may be either is measured by the shortest road distance over these walking by the school itself or by neighbouring schools at which point distances. transport would be provided to the nearest school or nearest Leicestershire school. To take into account key concerns raised in the previous consultation we are now proposing that the policy remains as above but in addition we will provide: 2 In effect the policy recognises where change has occurred, maintains The changes to 16+ transport we are now proposing: the same arrangements where change hasn’t happened but is clear We were proposing to continue to offer transport on a discretionary what will happen if changes occur in the future. basis at a charge of £425 to either the nearest school or to the nearest post 16 Further Education college. But to withdraw a Under these proposals, primary children who attend a school without “choice”. For example, the policy currently allows a student to travel a year 6 (age 10+) will be provided with transport to the nearest to the school or college offering their chosen course. In future, we appropriate secondary school with spaces, and with a year 6. In would not transport to a school/college that is further away because September 2014, secondary schools accepting children at year 6 are: the course is not available at the nearest school/college. Shepshed High School, Castle Donington Community College, Gartree High School, Manor High School, Bushloe High School and Abington The new proposals are to provide transport over 3 miles from home Academy. as above but in addition to provide transport to the nearest Leicestershire Further Education There are extended rights for low income families. college or The current policy for 16+ transport: transport to the nearest Leicestershire school sixth form but In addition, our current policy says that students who live more than to continue providing transport to the catchment school with a three miles away from either the nearest school sixth form or nearest sixth form in areas where there have been no changes to post 16 further education college are eligible for assisted transport. catchments or age range since May 2012 Currently, students can also get assisted transport if they attend a school or college which is further away if it is the nearest which offers There will still be a charge for those who are eligible to post 16 their chosen course. transport assistance (unless they are from a low income family). The charge for 16+ transport for the 2014/15 academic year will be The likely impact of changes to 16+ transport: £425 and there is an exemption to this charge for students from a Assisted transport for 16+ students would be more limited and these qualifying low income background. proposals wouldn’t allow for students to attend a school or college which is further away if it offers their chosen course. New government guidance has raised the age to which young people have a requirement to stay in education, employment or training. There will, however, be a commercial bus service alternative for There has been no change in the legislation governing transport for most students. There will still be a charge for eligible students unless those aged 16+ so this remains a discretionary service that we don’t they are from a low income family. have to provide. 3 Transitional arrangements: authorities; through the county council staff intranet; and through These proposals remain unchanged by the new proposals. During the the council's Members' Information Service. transition phase from the old policy to the new, the council is proposing that any change to the policy will only affect pupils Report Overview entering into primary education or transferring to a secondary school in September 2015.