Free travel to school
All children under the age of 18 in full time education are allowed to travel free on London buses. Children aged 11+ must apply for an oyster/zip card to prove their age. The application forms are available from any local post office and there is further information available from Transport For London (external link).
Children transferring to secondary school at 11+
Eligibility for free travel to school or college is summarised below or you can access the full home to school and college transport policy 
(PDF: 50KB)
Most pupils living and attending schools in Barnet will not be entitled to free travel on the tube or trains because there will usually be a school place offered within a three mile walking distance of their home offering suitable education, or the journey to the school can be accessed by bus.
The fact that a child attends a school more than three miles away will not normally mean that the pupils will receive free travel. However it may be provided if:
- the pupil’s family is on Income Support, income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance, or Child Tax Credit if the assessed annual income is less than £16,190 and the pupil’s school is more than three miles walking distance away; or
- there are exceptional medical, social or educational reasons.
- if the child has a statement of special education needs (SEN).
Transport for pupils with a statement of special educational needs
Some pupils with a statement of special educational needs may qualify for free travel either on the basis of their requirements as set out in their statement or on the grounds of distance.
The eligibility criteria is set out in the home to school and college transport policy above. The policy statement also covers the circumstances in which pre school pupils and students attending further education who have special educational needs but do not have a statement of special educational needs under the terms of the 1996 Education Act may qualify for free travel.
All pupils who are not entitled to free travel under the home to school and college transport policy will be considered for eligibility under other criteria listed above.
For details on how to apply for free travel, please contact Peter Kiratzi on 020 8359 7742 or peter.kiratzi@barnet.gov.uk.
When children move into the area and change secondary schools
If there are no places available in maintained schools within a three mile walking distance of the home free travel may be provided to the nearest available maintained school. Please note that fulfilling one or more of the above criteria does not mean you are automatically entitled to free travel to school; each application is submitted to the Transport Panel and is considered on its own merits. If your transport request is rejected you will receive written notification and can appeal the decsion to an independent panel.
Children, young people and families
Email this pageLast modified by: Lauren Burbidge on 11/11/2010