Special Announcement - for Y6 Parents

INFORMATION REGARDING DENOMINATIONAL TRANSPORT

Bristol City Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People has confirmed that funding arrangements for children travelling to faith schools will not change, for those starting at faith schools in September this year.

During November and December, Bristol City Council asked parents, carers and the school community for their views on proposed changes to the council’s current policy of providing free travel for all students attending their nearest faith school, if it is beyond walking distance (more than two miles from home for a primary school and more than three miles from home for a secondary school).

The service is currently provided to all, regardless of family income, even though there may be other nearer schools. It usually takes the form of supplying a free bus pass.

One of the main concerns raised was the proposed timing of the change. The original proposal was to introduce changes for pupils starting at faith schools in September this year. As the majority of pupils affected are travelling to secondary school, this would mean that parents did not know about funding changes when they made their decision about which school to apply for, by the October admissions deadline.

Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Clare Campion-Smith, said: “We have listened to the concerns raised and decided not to change funding for travel to faith schools for children due to start at school this September. Funding for children already attending faith schools is also protected and there was never a proposal to remove this funding.

“A report will be brought to cabinet later this year, outlining proposed changes from September 2012 onwards. Any decision on changes will be made in time for parents to take travel arrangements into account when deciding on school preferences.”