Understanding the School Travel (Pupils with Dual Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The UK government has introduced a technical amendment to the existing rules around school travel for pupils with dual registration. Here’s what you need to know about these changes and what they mean for students and families in England.

What’s Happening?

The Department for Education has made an update to the School Travel (Pupils with Dual Registration) Regulations 2007. This change is aimed at maintaining the existing policy for children who need to travel to school under the special condition of having "no fixed abode."

Why the Change?

Previously, the definition of a "child who has no fixed abode" depended on language from the Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 2006. However, these regulations were revoked and replaced by the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) Regulations 2024. To ensure continuity, the 2025 amendment mirrors the old definition but updates it to include gender-neutral language.

Who Does This Affect?

The amendment affects children in England who are registered at more than one school. For example, this could include children whose parents move frequently for work. The update ensures these children remain eligible for free home-to-school travel when they attend different schools on different days.

Impact on Policy and Practice

• No Change in Policy: This is a technical update, meaning that there is no change to the actual policy. Children’s eligibility for free school travel remains unchanged.
• No Impact on Public or Private Sectors: Since the policy remains the same, there is no expected impact on businesses, charities, or other organizations.

Legal and Human Rights Compatibility

The amendment has been reviewed and is deemed compatible with human rights standards. It’s also noted that this change is independent of any recent European Union legislation.

Consultation and Monitoring

There was no public consultation for this change because it's a straightforward technical update. Similarly, there are no plans for monitoring since the policy framework remains the same.

In summary, the 2025 amendment to the School Travel Regulations is a necessary legal update to ensure that children with dual registration continue to receive the support they need without any disruption to existing services.