The vast majority of our pupils travel to school in either Devon County Council funded Transport or Torbay Council funded Transport (minibus or taxi). A small number arrive by private car or travel independently.
There is no automatic entitlement to transport assistance from Devon County Council or Torbay Council for children who have an Education Health & Care Plan. Further information about transport for SEND pupils can be found as follows:
Devon County Council’s website: Transport for children with special educational needs Archives – Education and Families (devon.gov.uk)
Torbay Council's website: Home to school transport - Torbay Council
If you wish to make an enquiry regarding entitlement to free or assisted school transport, please email:
Devon's School Transport Team Schooltransportservicequeries-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
Torbay's School Transport Team cstransport@torbay.gov.uk
Or call Devon's Transport Team on 0345 155 1019 or Torbay's Transport Team on 01803 207688.
POST 16 TRANSPORT
Once a student moves into Year 12, ie into our Post 16 / Sixth Form department, any previous Transport arrangement through Devon County Council or Torbay Council ceases to exist. If you wish your young person to continue to travel into Bidwell Brook on Transport, you will need to apply for a "vacant seat". If a "vacant seat" is available on your route into school, this will need to be paid for. Depending on your financial circumstances, you may be able to apply to our Bursary Funding for assistance with the cost. Please see our Bursary Funding page for details.
Correspondence about "vacant seat" applications is sent directly to Year 11 families from the Transport Departments in the Spring Term.
GETTING AROUND
National Bus Pass
The National Bus Pass from allows individuals to travel for free on local buses. Please can you check the eligibility requirements (www.traveldevon.info/bus/national-bus-pass/applying-for-a-bus-pass-based-on-disability) and if your young person meets these, please can you apply for a pass as soon as possible.
Companion Pass
The Devon Companion Bus Pass will provide free travel for one person traveling with a disabled person who is using their National Bus Pass in the Devon County Council area. You can apply for a Companion Pass if you: already have a Devon County Council-issued National Bus Pass, are aged 11 years or over, and have a severe disability and would find it extremely difficult to access local bus services without the assistance of a travelling companion. Apply here: www.traveldevon.info/bus/national-bus-pass/the-devon-companion-bus-pass.
Devon Access Wallet
In addition, you may also like to apply for the Devon Access Wallet (www.traveldevon.info/accessibility/devon-access-wallet). The Devon Access Wallet scheme is an initiative to help make journeys by bus or train easier for anyone with communication difficulties, people with disabilities, deaf people and those whose first language is not English.