CONTROVERSIAL school transport rules mean a mum has to pay for a bus for her son, while other children in her village get the journey for free.

Audrey Carson’s son Thomas, 11, has been givenaplace at St Helena School in Colchester – his family’s first-choice.

He will not get free transport because the Gilberd School is half a mile closer to his Great Horkesley home – meaning his family will have to cover his £432 annual bus fare.

Families who put the Gilberd School first, but were given a place at St Helena due to a lack of places, have qualified for free transport.

Essex County Council’s rules state free transport is provided to a secondary school pupil’s nearest available school, if it is three miles or more from their home.

The Gilberd School is 3.8 miles from Great Horkesley and St Helena School is 4.4 miles, but because Mrs Carson put St Helena first on the list, Thomas does not qualify for free transport.

Mrs Carson, of Pattinson Walk, said St Helena School has always been the feeder school for Bishop William Ward Primary.

She has appealed against the decision, but has been told it could be six weeks before she hears the outcome.

Mrs Carson said: “No one ever tells you that you should put your nearest school above your catchment school.

“You are supposed to put ten schools down on the form, but there is no point putting ten down because you will only ever be sent to St Helena unless you have a sibling at the Gilberd.

“It is a joke.”

Ray Gooding, county councillor responsible for education, said: “Our policy for children starting secondary school from September is to provide free transport to the nearest available school if this is three miles or more from their home.

“This ensures there is a consistent criteria across the county.

“The previous policy was much more favourable to some areas than others, which was unfair.

“There are extended rights for low income families and any existing entitlement for current secondary school pupils will continue. All the admissions information, published in autumn last year, made the new policy position clear, advising parents to carefully consider the transport policy before making their school applications.”