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Pay for school transport if you're not eligible

Students who aren't eligible for free school transport can pay for spare seats through the Surplus Seat Travel Scheme.

Whilst we do not have a duty to provide transport for post-16 pupils, we and our transport providers do all we can each year to make these available. Surplus seats can usually be found for each pupil who needs one, although this may not be available in the first few weeks of the academic year.

We provide transport for some schools in Dorset but if your child attends one of the following schools you will need to apply through the operator:

  • Allenbourn Middle School
  • Beaminster School
  • Dorchester Middle School
  • Ferndown Middle School
  • Ferndown Upper School
  • Gillingham School
  • Lytchett Minster School
  • Queen Elizabeth School
  • Shaftesbury School
  • St Michaels Middle School
  • Sturminster Newton High School
  • The Blandford School
  • The Gryphon School
  • The Purbeck School
  • The Sir John Colfox School
  • The Thomas Hardye School
  • The Woodroffe School
  • West Moors Middle School

Apply for transport through the operator

Transport operators set their own costs and have their own application process.

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For public service routes you will need to contact the relevant transport operator to purchase a surplus seat or a season ticket where applicable.

Cost

Surplus seats and season ticket prices are set by the operator for schools listed above.

All other schools: how to apply

If your school is not listed above, you will need to apply.

Surplus seats are offered on a first come first served basis.

We recommend you make alternative travel arrangements until you receive confirmation of a surplus seat, even if you had a surplus seat in the previous academic year.

Apply for a surplus seat

You'll need to provide your contact details, details about your child and their school.

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Cost and payment

A surplus seat costs £860 for the academic year 2023 to 2024.

A surplus seat costs £900 for the academic year 2024 to 2025.

You can pay in one lump sum, instalments or by direct debit. We will contact you to arrange payment once we process your application.

Refunds

You can request a refund if your circumstances have changed, for example, if you've moved house.

In the event that you have purchased a surplus seat and it becomes unavailable, we will refund you in full.

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