Who is eligible for travel assistance? (compulsory school age 5 to 16)
To qualify for free travel assistance, your child must:
- live in Southend-on-Sea
- be of compulsory school age (5-16)
- attend a suitable, qualifying school
- meet at least one of the additional criteria
Additional criteria
1. Distance
Primary school pupils (age 5 to 11) who live more than 2 miles away from their nearest suitable school.
Secondary school pupils (age 11 to 16) who live more than 3 miles away from their nearest suitable school.
We measure the distance using the shortest safe walking route.
2. Unsafe route
The walking route to the nearest suitable school (within the distance limits) is unsafe to walk, even if accompanied by an adult.
3. Low income families
The child:
- gets free school meals, or
- the parent they live with gets the maximum Working Tax Credit or Universal Credit (with annual net income under £15,400)
They must also be aged between 11 and 16, and:
- attend one of their three nearest suitable schools, which is between 2 and 6 miles from home, OR
- attend a school chosen for reasons of religion or belief between 2 and 15 miles from home, and where there is no suitable school closer
4. Special Educational Needs, disability or mobility problem (SEND)
For full eligibility, visit: