North Yorkshire Council has agreed to an exception to its home-to-school transport policy to support families affected by the reorganisation of two Wensleydale primary schools.
The authority has agreed to a ‘nearest gate in the federation’ rule for the Federation of Middleham and Spennithorne CE Primary Schools.
This will allow eligible pupils to qualify for free school transport based on whichever of the two federated schools is closest to their home, rather than treating each school separately.
The decision follows the reorganisation of the schools to comply with the law.
Under the changes, Spennithorne will become an infant school for children aged four to seven, while Middleham will become a junior school for pupils aged seven to 11.
The two schools will also operate with a shared catchment area.
The federation requested the change after concerns that some families could lose eligibility for free school transport because the infant or junior school their child attends may not technically be the nearest suitable school to their home.
Children already eligible for free transport and on roll at either school by September 1 this year will retain that entitlement for the remainder of their education within the federation, provided their circumstances do not change.
New applicants will qualify where the nearest entrance to either school in the federation is their nearest suitable school and they live beyond the statutory walking distance.
The arrangement is conditional on the federation continuing to provide transport between the two schools where this is needed.
The council’s six-week consultation on the proposal attracted five responses.
Four supported the change, with respondents saying it would help secure the future of the two village schools, which have faced falling pupil numbers, and ensure children were not disadvantaged by the reorganisation.
One respondent objected, arguing the policy could create inconsistencies with transport arrangements for other infant and junior schools elsewhere in North Yorkshire.
Council officers concluded the revised policy would not result in any significant additional cost to the authority and recommended its adoption.
The council’s revised home-to-school transport policy has proved highly controversial since it was introduced in 2024.
The authority tightened eligibility so that, in most cases, children are only entitled to free transport to their nearest suitable school with available places, rather than their catchment or chosen school.
The council said the changes were needed to comply with statutory guidance, create a fairer and more consistent system, and help tackle rising transport costs, which have increased significantly in recent years.
