Parents to be consulted on free school transport

Parents and carers will be consulted about Midlothian Council’s proposal to change the mileage limit for free school transport for secondary school pupils. 

Three miles limit to be considered

Currently secondary school pupils who live more than two miles from their catchment school are eligible for free school transport. This would change to more than three miles under the new proposal, bringing the arrangements in line with the current legislation. 

No change for primary pupils

There are no proposed changes to free school transport arrangements for primary school pupils or when the council has placed a pupil in a non-catchment school because the catchment school is full.

Not one size fits all

Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Ellen Scott said: “We need to stress we would be making sure pupils have a recommended walking route to school, so individual circumstances would be taken into account.” 

Following other councils

The change would bring us in line with 66% of local authorities in Scotland who have already implemented the three-mile limit.

Free bus travel

Cllr Scott said: “All young people aged five to 22 in Scotland can now travel free so it makes sense to look at how we can protect education funding to make sure it is spent on giving children and young people the best education possible.  

Impact on existing buses considered

However, when making any decisions, Midlothian Council will take account of whether the existing bus services would be able to cope with an influx of school pupils using the service and any other factors emerging from the consultation.”

Active travel

Cllr Scott added the proposal could help cut carbon emission, supporting the council’s Net Zero ambitions, while encouraging young people to enjoy active, cleaner, greener travel.

Consultation agreement

At the full Council meeting on Tuesday councillors agreed to delegate authority to the Executive Director Children, Young People and Partnerships to carry out a statutory consultation.

Pupils with Additional Support Needs

The education service will also consult informally with parents/carers of pupils attending Saltersgate School and the council’s additional support needs provisions.

More details coming

The council will share further details of the statutory consultation in coming months. The consultation will take place in 2024 with any agreed changes implemented in August 2025.

Report back to Council

A report on the outcome of the consultation exercises will be brought back to council for consideration and a decision.