transport for london school party travel scheme

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School party travel scheme.

Questions to the Mayor of London – answered at on 29 June 2021 .

Alert me about debates like this

Anne Clarke Labour

Will you ensure that your negotiations with the Government over TfL funding includes a request to fund school party travel schemes? Many schools cannot afford coaches, or coaches are unviable for short range trips conducted by local schools. In order to make sure London builds back better for our children, this scheme needs to be reintroduced.

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Sadiq Khan Mayor of London

Reflecting its commitment to the health and safety of staff and customers, Transport for London (TfL) decided to suspend its school party travel scheme during the pandemic. By doing so, it has ensured that there is adequate space for all customers, making social distancing as easy as possible and limiting the number of large groups travelling on the network together and in proximity to other customers and frontline staff.

This was always a temporary suspension and TfL has been working to reopen the scheme to coincide with the final stage of lifting of the Government’s Covid-19 restrictions. With restrictions remaining in place until at least 19 July, it means the school party travel scheme won’t re-open this academic year.

It is expected to re-open in time for the new academic year in September. This will of course be dependent upon the legislation and Government guidelines in place at the time.

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School trips to the Ri

Discover our range of activities designed to make your next school science trip one to remember.

Enhance the education of your students and inspire them to think more deeply about science and its place in our lives with our educational talks and workshops.

L'Oréal Young Scientist Centre

Our L'Oréal Young Scientist Centre (LYSC) provides a fantastic opportunity for students to get hands-on experience with scientific experiments.

Discover how LYSC can benefit your student’s learning and how to book a bespoke session for your school.

Find out more about the LYSC

Theatre talks and shows

Many of our Theatre talks are suitable for children of all ages, from key stage 2 through to key stage 5. Our adult talks are particularly suitable for sixth-form students.

We offer a free ticket for every 10 tickets bought and a concession rate for school bookings Please email [email protected] to arrange the booking over the phone.

Browse our talks and events

Get in touch

If you have any questions about what talk would be best for your students, please get in touch with us at [email protected] .

Practical information for schools

School lunches.

During events, we have limited space available for students to eat packed lunches (which cannot be eaten anywhere else in the building) and it is not always available. You must book ahead if you wish to use it, though we can't guarantee its availability.

Please call 020 7409 2952 or email us at  [email protected]  if you would like to reserve a space.

Weather-permitting, Green Park makes a nice lunch venue and is only a five minute walk from the Ri.

How to find us

Free transport within london.

You can get free travel for schools groups within London by registering with Transport for London's School Party Travel Scheme . You must register at least 14 days before the date of travel. We recommend that make a 'dry run' to the Ri if you haven't visited us before. Please make sure that you allow enough time to be with us about 20 minutes before the official start time of the event.

The closest tube station to the Royal Institution is Green Park on the Jubilee, Victoria and Piccadilly lines. The Royal Institution is a five minute walk from the station.

Also within a ten minute walking distance is Piccadilly Circus tube station, on the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines, or Oxford Circus tube station on the Victoria, Central and Bakerloo lines.

There are many buses that run along Piccadilly, which crosses the entrance to Albemarle Street. Bus numbers: 9, 14, 19, 22 and 38

Albemarle Street is a one-way street. It is also quite narrow. Download parking near the Ri for schools  for more information about the nearest coach bays.

The Ri is located within the Congestion Charging zone.

We like to film our events and our right to do so forms part of the terms of ticket purchase. Photographs or video footage of shows, which may include that of audience participants, may be used for marketing purposes on Ri communication channels or those of our partners.

It is the responsibility of teachers to ensure that they have obtained consent for their students to be filmed at our events.

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School travel support

Have your say on the Post-16 transport policy statement for September 2023 – this sets out the travel support available for young people of sixth form age to attend education or training from September 2023. Complete the survey and let us know what you think about our statement or contact us on 020 7364 4435. 

Travel assistance for children and young people in school and sixth form/college

Transport for London (TfL) operates a scheme of free and/or discounted travel for children under the age of 18 in full-time education in the following table:

Please visit Free and discounted travel - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk) or call the Oyster helpline on 0343 222 1234 for further information and advice on concessions and how to apply for a Zip card.

The Council expects residents to make use of concessions offered by TfL. If you require support that is not met by free public transport or other alternatives, you can make an application to Pupil Services for travel assistance.

Travel assistance for children in primary and secondary school

Who is eligible.

The council has a duty to make travel arrangements as considered necessary in order to facilitate the school attendance of an ‘eligible’ [1]  child. 

The child must be registered at a ‘qualifying school’ [2] .

 Eligible children are those of compulsory school age (5-16) who meet the following criteria:

1. Statutory walking distance - children who are attending a school that is beyond two miles for a pupil under the age of 8 or three miles for children ages 8 or over

2. Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or mobility problem - children who cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school because of their mobility problems or because of associated health and safety issues related to SEND, including temporary medical conditions. If your child has an education, health or care plan (EHCP) you should contact the SEN team to find out more about school travel for children with SEND.

Tel: 020 7364 5000 - Email  [email protected]

3. Unsafe route - children who cannot be reasonably be expected to walk to school because of the nature of the route

4. Extended rights eligibility - children entitled to free school meals or those whose parents are in receipt of their maximum level of Working Tax Credit and:

• the school is beyond two miles (for children over the age of 8 and under 11)
• the school is between2 and 6 miles (if aged 11-16 and there are no suitable nearer schools)
• The school is between 2 and 15 miles and is the nearest preferred on the grounds of religion or belief (aged 11-16)

We will also consider whether there are any medical reasons affecting the parent/carer's ability to accompany the child to and from school along a walking route which can be considered safe.

Children will usually only be eligible for travel assistance if the council cannot offer a place at a suitable alternative school. Therefore please ensure that you have made an application to your local schools before applying for travel assistance.

[1] Schedule 35B of the Education Act 1996, as inserted by Part 6 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (the EIA 2006)

[2] Section 508B(10) of the Education Act 1996, as inserted by Part 6 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (the EIA 2006).

Travel assistance for students in further education (16-18+ year olds)

The council also provides travel assistance to enable young people (over 16) in further education to access and attend the education and training of their choice.

Young people can apply for travel assistance if they meet the following criteria: 

• are a resident of Tower Hamlets
• are aged 16-18 or a 'continuing learner' who started their course before their 19th birthday
• are attending a full-time course in a maintained school sixth form/college or other establishment. Assistance is not provided to students attending private (independent) fee paying establishments
• are attending the nearest maintained establishment at which the course, or the majority of the course is offered (i.e. at least 50% of the course). If the young person is attending a specialist course, this must be one that ends with a nationally recognised vocational qualification such as BTEC or NVQ
• the establishment is over three miles from the young person’s home address
• their parents’ taxable income was £18,210 or less in the last financial year

If the young person has special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) you may be eligible for support from the SEN team (contact details above).

Additional information

• It can take up to 30 days for your application to be processed.
• You must be resident in Tower Hamlets to apply for travel assistance and be able to provide us with proof of your address i.e. recent Council Tax bill.
• You must be registered at the 'qualifying school', learning or training provider and provide proof of registration if necessary
• You should provide all the necessary supporting information with your application. Any delays or failure to provide this information will affect the outcome of your application
• Please refer to the application form and guidance notes for further details (See below).

Read the council’s travel assistance policy .

How do I apply?

You can download the form or contact Pupil Services on 020 7364 5006 for a hard copy.

Please view the guidance notes  before completing the application. 

If you need any support or advice, contact Pupil Services using the details below.

Making a decision

When processing your application the council will consider the most suitable form of travel assistance taking into account the age and needs of the child, the distance from home to school and any other relevant factors. You will receive a letter informing you of the outcome of your application.

If your application is refused, then you have a right of appeal against the decision and you will be advised of this in your letter.

Advice on travel support for young students in further education

The transport policy statement provides information and advice for young people in Year 11-13 and their parents/carers about the travel arrangements and support available locally. It outlines who is eligible for support, how and when to apply for support as well as information for young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities.   

Download the Transport Policy Statement .

Contact details for Travel Assistance and Elective Home Education:

• Ali Akbar – Travel Assistance officer Tel: 020 7364 4435
• Karen O’ Brien – Lead officer for Children Missing Education (CME) and Elective Home Education (EHE) Tel: 020 7364 3439
• Rehanaz Begum – Operations Manager for CME, EHE and Scholars travel Tel: 020 7364 1427 (available Tuesday to Thursday)

Related services

• Home schooling
• School clothing grants
• Free school meals