After section 509AC of EA 1996 insert—

“509ADLEAs in England: duty to have regard to religion or belief in exercise of travel functions

(1)

A local education authority in England must have regard, amongst other things, in exercising any of their travel functions in relation to or in connection with the travel of a person or persons to or from a school, institution or other place, to any wish of a parent of such a person for him to be provided with education or training at a particular school, institution or other place where that wish is based on the parent’s religion or belief.

(2)

The “travel functions” of a local education authority in England are their functions under any of the following provisions—

• section 508A (duty to promote sustainable modes of travel etc);

• section 508B (travel arrangements for eligible children);

• section 508C (travel arrangements etc for other children);

• section 508E and Schedule 35C (school travel schemes);

• section 508F (transport etc for certain adult learners);

• section 509AA (transport etc for persons of sixth form age).

(3)

For the purposes of this section—

(a)

“religion” means any religion,

(b)

“belief” means any religious or philosophical belief,

(c)

a reference to religion includes a reference to lack of religion, and

(d)

a reference to belief includes a reference to lack of belief.”