Transport

If you live within the catchment area for WHS, all school transport queries should be directed to the Cumberland Council School Transport Team:

Tel: 01228 226428 or 0333 240 6965    Email: school.transport@cumbria.gov.uk

https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-transport provides information on the Council’s transport policy and how to apply for it.

If a student lives within the catchment area and needs a temporary or replacement bus pass, you must contact the Council’s Transport Team as WHS Finance are unable to assist.

Behaviour on School Transport

Cumberland Council transport support

Transport within the school’s catchment area is organised by Cumberland Council. For students entering Sixth Form, Cumberland Council operates a Spare Seat Scheme. This offers any spare seats on catchment routes to Sixth Form students. However there is no guarantee given by the council that a seat will be available.

For the forthcoming academic year (2026-27), Cumberland Council request that all parents/carers of Post-16 students apply directly to the Council for a space. A seat, if available, will be allocated prior to the start of the academic year.

This Post-16 Transport Application Form MUST be completed in all cases and returned to school.transport@cumberland.gov.uk. Your email will be acknowledged confirming receipt.

The charge for 2026/2027 is yet to be determined. The charge for a Post 16 spare seat for the 2025/2026 academic year is £655 per annum, payable in termly instalments:

• autumn term – £258
• spring term – £243
• summer term – £154

The timeline of the process is detailed below:

• Apply by Friday 17^th July 2026
• Applications must be made on the attached form and emailed to the Council’s Transport Team school.transport@cumberland.gov.uk.
• Seats will be allocated in order of time and date of application
• Parents will be contacted by 7^th August to advise if a place is available; this will include an invoice for payment
• Payment will be due by 21st August 2026
• A Travel Pass will be issued week commencing 24^th August 2026 by first class post
• If payment is not received by 21st August, the seat will be allocated to the next student on the waiting list

The availability of a Post-16 seat is determined by the number of students with a statutory entitlement to transport, and there being sufficient unallocated seats on a contracted vehicle within the PSVAR regulations. Demand for spare seats often outstrips supply, but they are offered as a concession. A minority of students do qualify for a seat under the terms of the Council’s home to school transport policy, but this is limited to those from low-income families, or those with an EHCP where there is a stated transport need.

Information about the scheme is available on the Council’s website How to apply for the Spare Seat Scheme | Cumberland Council.

Post 16 Transport Policy

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All young people continuing their education post-16 must reapply for travel support.

Free transport for students from qualifying ‘low income’ families will continue – apply via Cumberland Council. Free transport will continue to be available for qualifying students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities – apply via Cumberland Council.

If you have queries about post-16 transport, please contact transport@williamhoward.cumbria.sch.uk

• Aldi (London Rd) / Scotby / Durranhill / Lakeland Gate / Croft Rd / Linstock
• Greystone Rd / Stanwix / Lowry Hill / Kingmoor / Harker / Houghton / Brunstock
• Top of London Rd / Cumwhinton Rd / Parklands / Scotby
• Aldi (London Rd) / Mally Close / Carleton / Cumwhinton / Cotehill / Wetheral

Terms of Use

Existing Service Users

Your place on the current route will automatically be reserved unless you inform us that you no longer require transport. This ensures that existing users are given priority over students applying to use the service for the first time.

If you no longer require the service, you must submit a cancellation request in writing to the Admin Office at transport@williamhoward.cumbria.sch.uk. Failure to do so may result in you being charged for the seat for the following half term.

Transport is a payable service. Existing users must ensure that their account for the previous academic year is paid in full by the last day of the Summer Term (or your final Direct Debit is collected in August). Failure to clear outstanding balances will result in the school being unable to issue a new bus pass, and your seat will not be automatically reserved for the next academic year. If a waiting list is in operation, your place may be offered to another student.

New Service Users

Transport charges are calculated based on full occupancy of a seat for the entire academic year. No reductions can be made for absences due to illness, school trips, study leave (except where stated), or other reasons.

By signing the booking form, you agree that once a place has been allocated, you are responsible for paying the transport fees for:

• the full academic year, or
• the remainder of the academic year if the place is taken part-way through the year.

In certain circumstances, the school may be able to offer a reduced fee where a student only requires transport for part of the week or for one direction only. This must be agreed in advance with the Transport Team and will only be offered where the service is not at capacity.

If the service later becomes oversubscribed, the seat must either be paid for at the full rate or surrendered.