Home to school transport for church-aided (denominational) schools

Background information

Some pupils get free transport to school because they (or their parents) have the same religion as the school that they attend. We wanted to hear your views about our proposal to stop this funding support from 1 January 2011. With a significant cut this year in the Government grant to support school transport, we're having to look at ways of reducing this cost.

Currently we subsidise transport for some children who choose to go to a church aided (denominational) school rather than their local school. This costs us around £600,000 per year. We believe it is not fair to fund one group of children this way, but not others.

We recognise and support faith schools as providers of high educational standards and pastoral care for their pupils. However, the financial costs to council tax payers of providing transport have to be taken into account. An increasing number of councils are reviewing their transport policies to church aided schools and a number have already withdrawn transport support.

Who would be affected?

The proposed change would affect all pupils who receive free or subsidised transport to church aided schools.

Who will not be affected

Secondary school children from low income families will still be entitled to transport to church aided schools if they live between 2 and 15 miles from their school.

And the policies regarding transport to other schools would not be affected. For full details, see financial help with home to school travel

Who took part?

We asked for comments from parents and carers of young people in the county who get free or subsidised home to school transport to church aided schools, school staff and governors, church authorities and any other East Sussex resident.

This consultation was open for 10 weeks, and closed on 30 September 2010.

Results and what happens next

There were 908 responses using the consultation form. We also received 415 letters and emails and two petitions, one was signed by 844 pupils and the other had 368 signatories.

Of the people who responded:

  • 82% disagreed or strongly disagreed that the County Council should make this change.
  • 75% agreed or strongly agreed that the County Council should provide fair transport provision for all pupils.
  • 69% agreed or strongly agreed that the County Council should make best use of the budget available to them.
  • 84% agreed or strongly agreed that the County Council should continue to provide transport for secondary-aged children to church aided schools and 75% agreed or strongly agreed for primary-aged children.
  • 61% disagreed or strongly disagreed that parents should be responsible for getting their children to church aided schools.

Many people who responded felt there was not enough time for families to make any necessary adjustments if the proposals had been implemented from January 2011.

As a result it was recommended that for existing pupils the current policy should continue to operate until September 2011. At that point the new policy would be implemented as described below for all current pupils travelling, with two exceptions:

1. The 13 children currently receiving free transport on low income grounds, but who would not be eligible under the new policy (because of distance or age) should continue to have free transport until they change school or move house.

2. For new starters, the new policy will be applicable from January 2011.

  • From September 2011 (and from January 2011 for new starters) the new policy removes discretionary transport to church aided schools for all children up to and including Year 10, unless they are eligible on low income grounds or have another statutory entitlement.
  • Pupils who will be in Year 11 in September 2011 will continue to travel under the current arrangements to the end of that academic year, so that their studies are not disrupted.
  • From September 2012 there will be no discretionary transport for pupils of any year group.

In addition:

  • The Director of Children's Services will review all other discretionary aspects of the current Home to School Transport policy. They will make further recommendations with a view to new arrangements being implemented in September 2011.
  • The Directors of Children's Services and Transport & Environment will work with the faith communities to find alternative arrangements for all discretionary hired transport from September 2012 onwards, where this would not incur costs to the Council.
  • St Paul's Catholic College and Rodmell CE Primary School – because there is no reasonable public transport alternative at present, we will continue to operate hired transport to these schools. Parents will be able to buy seats at the vacant seat scheme price – for primary-aged pupils this will drop in January 2011 from the current £600 down to £300.

Enquiries:

Email: transportconsultation@eastsussex.gov.uk

Post: (you do not need a stamp)
Transport Consultation, FREEPOST BR157
East Sussex County Council
County Hall
Lewes, BN7 1BR

Acrobat (PDF)
Lead Member report - 18 October 2010 (130k)
Review of discretionary provision of home to school transport for pupils attending denominational schools.
Frequently asked questions (30k)
This document expands on the information above, and includes a list of affected schools (3 pages)
Additional information (45k)
A breakdown of current spending on home to school transport for denominational schools, and related transport information (2 pages)
Printed consultation booklet (107k)
A printed version of the information above, including an identical response form. (2 pages)
Equality Impact Assessment Form (165k)
These forms are completed as part of an internal process to ensure that we promote equality, don’t discriminate, and meet the terms of the Human Rights Act.