Update on inaccurate home to school transport claims
Joint statement from East Sussex County Council and London South East Academies Trust
East Sussex County Council (ESCC) and London South East Academies Trust (LSEAT) are pleased to confirm our continued commitment to working together to support children and young people across East Sussex.
Over the past two years, our partnership has supported the establishment and development of East Sussex Academy and its new alternative provision sites in Newhaven, Hailsham and Hastings, providing important educational opportunities for some of the county’s most vulnerable young people.
As new arrangements have become established, there have been some differences in understanding around aspects of home-to-school transport, particularly in relation to the operation of individual pupil timetables and transport requirements. Both ESCC and LSEAT recognise that these arose as the new provision and associated arrangements were being established and are pleased that these matters have now been resolved through constructive discussion and a shared commitment to finding a way forward.
Both organisations recognise that successful alternative provision relies upon strong partnership working across education, transport and wider services. We will continue to work openly and collaboratively, building on the learning and successes of the first year of the new provision.
Our shared ambition remains to ensure that children and young people in East Sussex who need alternative provision receive the right education and support to re-engage with learning, make progress and prepare successfully for their next steps.
East Sussex County Council's response to Hastings MP's claims over home to school transport
Dear Helena,
Thank you for your letter dated 7 September raising concerns from your constituents about home to school transport. Cllr Woolley has asked me to respond on his behalf.
Firstly I can reassure you there has been no change to the Council’s policies for home to school transport. The Council has a clear process for assessing eligibility for transport and the safety and suitability of transport journeys is considered carefully when arranging routes. The Council works closely with all schools to ensure that transport arrangements for eligible children align with the timings of the school day.
Your letter may be referring to the transport arrangements for children at the alternative provision academy in East Sussex, which has three sites across East Sussex. The transport team have been working with this provider to arrange transport for children and to understand the timings of the school day. There have been some delays in information being shared about the timings of the school day and this may have caused a delay in transport arrangements being confirmed for a small number of children.
The Council’s priority is for children to attend education provision full-time as this is in the best interests for the majority of children. The Council recognises that it can be appropriate for some children to be on part-time timetables and we are working with the provider to ensure that these are only in place where necessary and that we have appropriate, sustainable transport solutions in place for these children. The safety of children is a priority and we work closely with the provider and colleagues across children's social care to ensure appropriate safeguarding arrangements are in place.
It appears however that you may have been misinformed about some of the details of transport arrangements for children at this provider. I can confirm that no primary age children have been offered a bus route. All primary age children have transport provided either through a shared or solo taxi route or through a personal travel budget in line with our policies. Secondary age children who are eligible for transport will have been offered a bus pass where a suitable route has been identified or will have been offered a taxi route or personal travel budget, in line with our policies.
Families that have any questions about their eligibility for transport or the transport provision that is being offered should contact
Mainstream-transport.cts@eastsussex.gov.uk this is the quickest way for any issues to be resolved.
In matters relating to CSD, it is advisable to send directly to me, particularly if you have concerns relating to safeguarding as I am then able to deal with matters swiftly. Sending elsewhere simply builds in delay before it finds its way to me.
Yours sincerely
Carolyn Fair, Director of Children's Services
Karen Bowles
Friday, 11 September 2026
Updated on: Tuesday, 15 September 2026