Renfrewshire Council’s current policy is to provide home to school transport to all primary school pupils who live more than 1.609 kilometres (1 mile) from their catchment school by the recognised shortest safe walking route. Parents who think they are eligible can get an application form from the school or education and leisure services in Renfrewshire House, Paisley or online at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk. These forms should be completed and returned before the end of February for those pupils beginning school in August to allow the appropriate arrangements to be made. However parents may make an application at any time.

In special circumstances, the director of education and leisure services has discretion to grant permission for pupils to travel in transport provided by the education authority, where spare places are available, at no additional cost to the authority.

Pickup points

Where home to school transport is provided, some pupils will require to walk a reasonable distance from home to the transport pick-up point but this should not exceed the authority’s agreed limit of 1.609 kilometres (1 mile).

It is the parent’s responsibility to make sure that their child arrives at the pickup point on time and behaves in a safe and acceptable manner while boarding, travelling in and leaving the vehicle. Children who misbehave can lose their right to home to school transport.

Placing requests

Renfrewshire Council does not provide transport for those pupils who are granted a placing request, other than in exceptional circumstances.

Assisted support needs

Renfrewshire Council provides home to school transport for children assessed to attend any school because of their assisted support needs. The educational psychology service will normally carry out the assessment. Seat belt and wheelchair restraints are provided in the vehicle used to transport pupils to school and units.