A NEWPORT schoolgirl with a history of heart palpitations could have faced a three-mile walk to school after the council did not grant her a free bus pass.

Amy Bellew, 11, from High Cross, a pupil at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic School, attends the same school as her sister, Hannah, 14, who has had a free bus pass every year since starting there in 2012.

The girls’ parents, Graham and Sharon, thought this would also be the case for Amy, who has been having ongoing tests to diagnose the underlying cause of her heart palpitations.

Her father, Graham said that at the school’s open evening earlier this year, he double-checked with the school and the attending representatives from the bus companies, who said there would be no issue.

The Bellews then got a shock when they received a letter from the council during the first week of the school summer holidays, saying that Amy's application was rejected because the family live within three miles of the school.

A 2.85-mile route for Amy to walk to school was enclosed, which was estimated to take one hour each way.

Amy’s father, Graham, rides a motorbike to work to a law firm in Cardiff while her mother, Sharon, leaves work for a nursery in Magor at 6am.

Their eldest daughter, Hannah, has to be back from school in time to pick up their youngest daughter, Jessica, seven, from St Mary’s RC Primary School so is unable to walk Amy home.

Concerned, with the majority of her friends attending Bassaleg High School, the family have paid £520 for Amy’s bus pass.

Her father, Graham, 43, a former pupil at Bassaleg High School, said that although they are regular churchgoers, they would have reconsidered what school they chose if they knew the disruption it was to cause.

He said: “In the first week, she had to walk on her own because all the other children walk to Bassaleg. She was absolutely knackered.

“They’re expecting them to come back in and do their homework. It’s just unbelievable that they expect children to walk nearly three miles each way in all weathers and still study.

“Our hands are tied - she walks it or you spend the money. We’re lucky that we can pay it. There are people out there who can’t.”

A spokeswoman for Newport City Council said that the Bellews were informed of the council's policy on August 19.

She said: “This policy is fully detailed in the parent handbook provided to all parents of children upon their application for a secondary school place and can be read on the Newport City Council website.

“Free transport may be provided, in exceptional circumstances, on medical grounds in respect of pupils who reside within the catchment area of their school.

"Applications must be supported by a recent medical consultant’s report recommending special transport for a specified period."