School Transport

School Transport Provision - Who Qualifies?

Qualification varies according to a child's age and the distance they live from the school. The table below outlines who would be entitled to school transport. 

Qualfying Distance from School
School Child	Easter to October	October to Easter
Age 7 and under	over 2 miles	over 1.5 miles
Age 8 and over	over 3 miles	over 1.5 miles

Catchment Areas

Transport is only provided to the school for the catchment area where you live. If you elect to place your child in a school within a different catchment area then no transport will be provided.

Nominated Passengers

Nominated places may be allocated by Education, Leisure and Housing Services to pupils who do not qualify for transport but live on an established bus route where the bus servicing that route has available empty seats. Nominated passengers may be asked to give up their place on school transport at any time if it is deemed necessary for any reason by the authority.

Additional Support Needs

Any child with additional support needs would be individually assessed by a member of the Support for Learners Team and where appropriate, arrangements will be made to ensure the child is transported suitably and safely.

Medical Issues

Any school child may be entitled to transport irrespective of the distance from the school in cases where they have a confirmed medical condition which, in their doctor’s opinion, makes it necessary for transport to be provided. A letter of proof from the family doctor requires to be submitted to the service. An independent evaluation may also be requested by the service.

Pupil Collection / Drop Off Points

The listed address is the only address for transport purposes and suitable places close to that address should be agreed with the service as pupil collection / drop off points. The service will endeavour to assess collection points to ensure that potential dangers are identified and solutions are found to keep risks to a minimum. Parents should note that any risk assessment done on a collection or drop off point is made on the assumption that the child will be met by an adult.  Please contact the service to inform if you change address.

Pupil Responsibility and Behaviour

Pupils should understand and adhere to the Code of Conduct. Persistent misbehaviour may result in permanent withdrawal of school transport entitlement. Parents may be held responsible for any damage to school vehicles caused by their children and financially liable for any subsequent and necessary repairs.

Seat Belts

All school transport vehicles are fitted with seat belts. Entitlement to free transport may be withdrawn where a pupil does not wear a seat belt.

Entitlement Review

Entitlement to school transport is reviewed on an annual basis.

Parental Responsibilty

Parents are responsible for the safety of their children whilst they wait at the collection points each morning. They assume that responsibility again at the moment their children leave the school transport vehicle following the afternoon journey. It is advisable that parents wait at their children’s drop off point and accompany them across the road if necessary as neither the authority nor the transport operator are responsible for the child’s safety after they have disembarked from the bus.

Full School Transport Policy

A copy of the Orkney Islands Council, Education, Leisure and Housing Services School Transport Policy is available from the Related Downloads section.

Contact Information

For further information on school transport, please contact:

School Transport Section

Education, Leisure and Housing Services

Orkney Islands Council

School Place

Kirkwall

KW15 1NY

Tel: 01856 873535