New analysis has shown that a lack of alternative transport for pupils could jeopardise the government’s plan of maintaining year group “bubbles” in schools.

In guidance published yesterday, the government set out its plans to use bubbles of entire year groups when schools fully reopen in the autumn term.

But findings published by thinktank the Education Policy Institute (EPI) today show that this plan could be “unworkable” because of limited transport options available to pupils.

The findings show that as many as one in three secondary school pupils in England rely on school buses or public transport to reach school, and that the vast majority travelling on school buses have no alternative means of getting to school, unless they have access to a private car.

The analysis also showed that secondary schools typically attract pupils from up to three miles away.

Jon Andrews, author and deputy head of research at EPI, said: “Schools will be going to great lengths to minimise the risk of infection during the school day with bubbles of year groups and distancing where possible. But a significant number of pupils are likely to mix with those from other year groups and even other schools on their journey to and from school.

“There are no easy solutions to this, and schools and local authorities will have to work together the best they can. But the government needs to be open about any assessment they have made of the risk that travelling to and from school poses.

“While there is a very serious risk of a second pandemic wave, with local and national lockdowns, the government must also have a robust ‘plan B’ that will allow all pupils to work effectively at home in the autumn and winter. All children - not just the current ‘priority groups’ should be given home access to IT, such as laptops, and additional provision for online tutoring is needed.”