Isle Of Wight Council Launches Consultation On School Transport Changes

The Isle of Wight Council has opened a consultation on proposed changes to its School Transport Policy, which sets out how children and young people get to school and other educational settings on the Island.

The council currently provides daily transport for more than 1,650 pupils, including over 350 children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Under the law, the council must offer free school transport to children of compulsory school age who meet national distance and eligibility rules set by the Department for Education (DfE).

The consultation proposes:

• Updating the policy wording to better align with DfE guidance and make processes clearer for parents and carers.

• Increasing parental contributions for spare seats on school buses.

• Changes to post-16 travel arrangements, where funding is discretionary, including higher parental contributions for eligible students.

The council is seeking feedback on these proposals before any decisions are made.

The consultation closes on Friday 28 November 2025, and if approved, changes will apply to new transport applications from September 2026.

Residents can view the consultation, draft policy and more information online at iow.gov.uk/schooltransport.

Paper copies are available on request via transport.info@iow.gov.uk or by calling 823780, and completed forms can be returned to County Hall.