Transferring to Secondary School – New Year 7’s from September
The deadline for transport applications to be submitted for students transferring to Secondary School is 1st May 2026. To make an application please visit our website https://www.iow.gov.uk/article/2418/Apply-for-home-to-school-transport.
Transport for eligible children, whose applications were received on time in line with the dates above, will be allocated to transport by the end of August, and Parents/Carers will be notified about those arrangements via email. For a small number of cases who may require complex transport arrangements, these may not be able to start in September and parents/carers will be notified if this is the case.
Applications received after the deadline will be treated as ‘late applications’ and can only be reviewed after all on-time applications have been processed. For the families of eligible children who apply late, this means that transport may not be in place for the start of the school term in September and may not be available for the first school term. During this time transport arrangements including costs will be parents responsibility.
Students already receiving transport (excluding Post 16 students)
Students from Year 7 -11 who already receive school transport do not need to do anything unless their circumstances have changed, or if transport has been specifically agreed for a set period of time. For example, if you have moved home or school, you will need to reapply for transport by the relevant deadline. If your child is in year 11, their eligibility for free transport will cease at the end of the current academic year and you will need to explore alternative transport arrangements for your child’s post-16 education or training, even if your child will continue to attend the same setting.
On the first day of term, students who are travelling on a contracted bus service will be able to travel without a valid ticket providing they are in school uniform. Bus passes will be sent to the school to be distributed to students on their first day.
Post 16 Students with an EHCP
Post 16 learners are required to apply for transport each academic year and each academic year the local authority is required to consult on the arrangements for the next school year. The policy for the 2026/2027 academic year is now available online and any application received will be processed in line with this policy.
The application deadline is 1st May and applications can be completed online at https://www.iow.gov.uk/article/2419/Travel-assistance-for-post-16-students
Transport for eligible learners, whose applications were received on time in line with the dates above, will be allocated to transport by the end of August, and Parent/Carers/Learners will be notified about those arrangements via email. For a small number of cases who may require complex transport arrangements, these may not be able to start in September and parents/carers will be notified if this is the case.
Applications received after the deadline will be treated as ‘late applications’ and can only be reviewed after all on-time applications have been processed. For the families of eligible learners who apply late, this means that transport may not be in place for the start of the school term in September and may not be available for the first school term. During this time transport arrangements including costs will be parents responsibility.
