Councillors have welcomed a review into the controversial subject of pupil transport.
All aspects of the council’s current policy will be looked at, including the possibility of introducing a code of conduct for travelling pupils.
The possibility of providing transport on road safety grounds is also to be considered, as well as the issue of transport provision for pupils of schools with no catchment area.
This has caused controversy recently because of the cost of providing taxis for pupils of Inverness Gaelic School.
The review, agreed by the education, adult and children’s services committee this week, will also consider the growing incidence of pupils who have two addresses because of family break-ups.
Senior officials said that legal advice would also be sought because of challenges to transport policy elsewhere.
At present any secondary pupil that lives outwith three miles of their school is entitled to transport.
The figure is two miles for primary children.
Councillors have welcomed the move.
Councillor Ken Gowans, Inverness South, said: “I am pleased that road safety is to be looked at. Some parents are not able to accompany their children.
“Distance is a blunt instrument. But it is an objective tool. Moving to something subjective could lead to more appeals.”
Councillor Kate Stephen, Culloden and Ardersier, welcomed consideration of the implications of family break-ups.
She said: “It is complicated and family break ups so we need to be sensitive.”