Your Guide to Primary Education in Leicestershire
Section 6: Assistance and expenses
Home to school/college transport arrangements from Autumn Term 2009
For Leicestershire residents only:
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(i)
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Primary school pupils (and primary aged pupils in high schools) Free transport is provided if - the child is attending full-time and is the right age for school; AND
- the school is the catchment area school or a nearer school to the home; AND
- the distance from home to school is more than two miles
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(ii)
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Pupils of primary school age attending voluntary aided schools Assisted transport is provided for pupils of compulsory school age. There is a charge of £240 per child per year, with some exceptions: eg for low income families (ie those in receipt of free school meals or receiving maximum working tax credit – proof of low income will be required each year); and for children of compulsory school age, families only pay for a maximum of two children. The following general conditions apply: - the choice of school is made on bona fide denominational grounds (you may have to provide evidence that your denomination is the same as the school’s);
AND - the school is either the nearest CE aided school or the RC aided school designated by the Local Authority for the child’s home address;
AND - the distance from home to school is more than two miles for primary aged pupils
Notes: - Transport is only provided at the beginning and end of the day
- If you change address your child’s transport entitlement may change. Seek advice from the Allocations Section, County Hall, Tel: 0116 305 6630
- For pupils and students who are not eligible for free transport, it may be possible to offer fare paying places on an annual basis. Parents must apply for this to the County Council
NB: The above description of home - school/college transport is a summary. It does not apply to children attending special schools, units or colleges. A full version of the Local Authority’s transport policy is available from the Allocations Section, County Hall, Tel: 0116 305 6684. If you are not certain of transport entitlement for your child, do not assume that he/she will receive free transport; if in doubt please contact the Allocations Section.
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Free school lunches and milk
Children whose parents receive the following support benefits are entitled to receive free school lunches:
- Income Support
- Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act, 1999
- To be in receipt of child tax credit with no working tax credit and with an annual income as assessed by the Inland Revenue that does not exceed £14,495 (this figure is subject to change)
- The guarantee element of Pension Credit
Young people who receive Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance in their own right are also entitled to receive free school lunches.
For help and advice contact Student Finance, Free School Lunches Section, County Hall, Glenfield or telephone 0116 305 6588.
Nursery and 4+ classes receive free milk for children who are under 5. Primary age children who have free school lunches are also entitled to free milk.
School clothing
The school governors decide what to recommend as school dress. This is stated in each school brochure or prospectus. It is the opinion of the County Council that pupils should not be excluded for failing to wear school uniform. There is no clothing allowance scheme.
Voluntary contributions to educational activities
Schools encourage parents to contribute to their children’s education in many ways.
Schools often welcome help in the classroom or on visits.
Occasionally special activities are organised which cannot take place unless parents make a voluntary payment.
The school is able to give limited help towards the cost of certain activities, so that children whose parents have financial difficulties are not left out.
Charges for materials etc
The school Governors decide on what you might be asked to pay for and how payments can be made. This information and the County Council policy will be explained by the School. You will find details of this in the school’s brochure or prospectus.
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