Issue - meetings

Background:

This report set out the outcomes of the consultation period on the Council’s proposal to amend the Medway Council Education Travel Assistance Policy following a recommendation from the School Transport and Curriculum Appeals Committee (STCAC).

The report advised that as a result of a number of transport appeals to the Committee from parents whose children had acquired a place at a grammar school on an independent admission appeal, but who had not passed the Medway Test, the Committee had recommended that the Cabinet be asked to consider whether an amendment be made to the policy so that pupils who secured a place at a Medway Grammar School on appeal should also be classed as grammar ability under the Education Travel Assistance Policy and therefore entitled to travel assistance under the same criteria. The report set out the proposed amendment to the Education Travel Assistance Policy.

A diversity impact assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix 2 to the report. This had concluded that there would be no negative impacts as a result of the proposed change to the Policy.

Reasons:

Amending the Travel Assistance Policy will mean that pupils attending a Medway grammar school will be treated the same when they apply for travel assistance whether they gained a place under the Medway Test assessment or following an independent admission appeal.