What guidance does the Welsh Government provide to local authorities on interpreting the “nearest suitable school” under the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 when a parent expresses a preference for fully Welsh-medium education?
Under current school transport legislation, a learner is entitled to free transport to a Welsh Medium school if that school is considered by the local authority to be the learner’s nearest suitable school and the learner meets the distance criteria specific to their age.
In cases where learners do not attend the nearest suitable school, local authorities can use their discretion to provide free transport to Welsh Medium schools regardless of the distance criteria in order to promote access to education and training through the medium of Welsh.
Local authorities have a general duty to promote access to education and training through the medium of the Welsh language when exercising functions under the 2008 Measure, which should be outlined in their Welsh In Education Strategic Plans (WESPs).