Council overturns legislation to allow free school transport

Parents have now been told if the Prince William school at Oundle is their nearest suitable school then transport between home and school will be provided

A council has changed legislation to allow parents free transport for their children attending their nearest secondary school with available places.

North Northamptonshire Council had previously decided funding would only be provided to children attending their nearest geographical school.

Families from the Thrapston area will benefit from free transport.

Jason Smithers, leader of the council, said he was "pleased" for families with the new changes.

The Conservative councillor said: "The new policy means that younger generations can continue to follow in their family's footsteps."

Former plans by North Northamptonshire council meant families from Thrapston and Islip whose children would normally go to the Prince William school in Oundle, would have to pay for transport if it was not their nearest school.

The other local secondary school for families is the Manor School in Raunds, however, the council recognised the school had limited spare capacity and could not support the significant demand for school places from pupils living in and around Thrapston.

The council has to provide a free service to a child's nearest suitable school that has places, but anything else is discretionary.

The legislation, coming into force for the September 2024 academic year, states that linked schools will only be considered as the "nearest suitable school" if it is actually the nearest, with available places.

Children going up to secondary school from Thrapston and Islip historically have been sent to the Prince William school, as the link school.

Parents sending their children to the Prince William school previously worried they would be faced will annual transport bills costing thousands.

Matt Binley, North Northamptonshire Council's executive member for highways, travel and assets, recognised there had been "concern" from parents living in and around the Thrapston area.

He said: "I am delighted to announce that we can now clarify, that parents from the Thrapston and Islip areas who state a preference for Prince William or Manor School, and meet the other criteria within the Home to School transport policy, will be eligible for statutory free transport to school."