West Berkshire Council clarifies school transport policy to Streatley residents

A concerned parent has questioned the criteria of West Berkshire Council’s (WBC) school transport policy.

Streatley resident Alex Illingworth has expressed concern saying that for many Streatley residents, their closest school is Langtree in Woodcote – which is neither in their catchment nor West Berkshire.

Her children are looking to attend The Downs School at Compton. Speaking to newburytoday, she said: “WBC policy is that where you live three miles plus from the school, WBC will pay for transport for pupils to attend their closest school.

“WBC applies this regardless of whether or not the school is in the catchment and I believe the calculation is done as the crow flies.

“In Streatley, if you live in Rectory Road, then you receive free transport.

“But if you live in the main section of Streatley, then you pay.”

A WBC spokesperson responded saying: “Parents in Streatley do not have to pay to get their children to school if they are eligible by either attending their nearest school or nearest available school having applied for their nearest school on their application.

“They have a choice of schools but if they want free transport to school then this is only provided to the nearest available school, as stated in the Statutory Guidelines.

“Admission and transport policies are separate and not directly linked. This reflects the national legislation.”

Further outlining council policy, they added: “Eligibility for a place at a school is not affected by this transport policy and obtaining a place at a school does not bring with it any entitlement to transport, even if a pupil is attending their catchment school.

“The nearest school is measured on a computerised geographic information system (GIS) mapping system in a straight line between the GIS point of the home address and GIS point of the school.

“The nearest school can be checked on the council website by typing the postcode into the search box.

“The nearest school may be in West Berkshire or a neighbouring local authority area.”

£930 was the fee for the 2023/24 academic year. This figure has risen to £990 for the 2024/25 academic year to meet inflation increases.

Figures are set as part of the council’s budget-setting process.

The latest increase was adopted following a full council meeting in February.

WBC confirmed there are no concessions for families with multiple children and that it reviews its forecasting of pupil places annually, including school capacity.

Visit https://www.westberks.gov.uk/fare-payer-scheme-2024-25 for further information.