(2) how many and what proportion of primary school pupils live within walking distance as defined by his Department of more than two secondary schools, broken down by local authority.
The statutory walking distance is two miles for pupils aged under eight and three miles for those aged eight and over. However, from September 2007, under the terms of section 508B of the Education Act 1996, children aged eight but under 11 from low income families became entitled to free travel arrangements where they live more than two miles from their nearest qualifying school. From September 2008 all children from low income families of compulsory school age who are 11 or over will be entitled to free transport in two ways—to one of their three nearest qualifying schools where they live more than two but not more than six miles from that school, and to the nearest school preferred by reason of a parent's religion or belief between two and 15 miles from home.
The measurement of the statutory walking distance is not necessarily by the shortest distance by road. It is measured by the shortest route along which a child, accompanied as necessary, may walk with reasonable safety. As such, the route measured may include footpaths, bridleways, and other pathways, as well as recognised roads.
A table showing the number and proportion of primary school pupils who live within two miles straight line distance of more than one maintained (a) primary and (b) secondary school and the number and proportion of primary pupils who live within two miles straight line distance of more than two secondary schools, broken down by local authority, has been placed in the House of Commons Library.