Reception pupils face losing free school transport

Some children in Cheshire may no longer receive free transport to school, under new plans by the council.

Under current rules, four-year-olds going to reception in Cheshire East schools receive free travel if they are eligible - despite the power being discretionary.

Cheshire East's cabinet has agreed to launch a public consultation on removing the support, as well as some changes to how distances to schools are measured.

Recently, parents and school staff in parts of Cheshire have raised concerns about changes to bus services impacting pupils.

Councils have to provide free transport for pupils who do not live within the statutory walking distance from their school.

For children under the age of eight that is two miles and for children eight and above it is three miles.

The government guidance states there is no expectation a child would walk, but it means their parent is responsible for their travel to school.

The guidance adds that a child would be eligible if the nature of the route meant they could not be expected to walk there in "reasonable safety" even if with a parent.

A report to the council's cabinet said that there were 46 children receiving mainstream education and 43 SEND children receiving free transport as of June 2026.

Conservative councillor, Jos Saunders, asked the cabinet to review the plans for the consultation and said it could impact families on low incomes.

She said she had concerns some families would choose to keep their children at home until statutory school age without the support.

This is on 31 December, 31 March or 31 August following their fifth birthday - whichever comes first.

Saunders said: "Reception is not an optional year of childcare. It provides the foundation for learning and routine".

She added she would like to see the decision recognised to "stop our young children from being disadvantaged".

Labour's Laura Crane, the cabinet member responsible for children's services, said the authority knew access to education was fundamental and the consultation would give families and schools the chance to share their reviews.

A consultation will also be launched on how the distance is measured between schools and home.

The council is proposing that the distance will instead be measured from where the home meets the adopted highway.

Crane said it would take some factors into consideration, including families living on new housing estates where the roads have not yet been adopted by the council.

At the meeting, the cabinet approved an update to its compulsory school age policy.

Crane added it was about ensuring the council's policy was "clear, transparent and aligned with national government guidance".

The changes include changing the language around the available walking routes.

Instead of using language such as "safe", "unsafe", "dangerous" and "exceptionally hazardous" around routes, it will instead refer to "available" and "unavailable" routes.

The council has not yet confirmed when consultations into the proposals around transport for four-year-olds and the way distance is measured will begin.

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