Free faith school transport safe for now

Bristol children travelling to faith schools will continue to receive funding after a consultation concluded the cash would not be cut. 

During the winter, Bristol City Council consulted with parents, carers and schools.

The council proposed to chop the fund for the next September intake of primary aged children travelling to faith schools.

Council policy means that children attending their nearest faith school but living beyond walking distance get free travel regardless of family income.

Children must live more than two miles from primary school or three miles from secondary school and usually receive a free bus pass.

The main concern raised by parents was that changes to funding would come after secondary school applications had been made, leaving parents unsure about whether they would receive the free funding or not.

The funding will be looked into again.

Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Clare Campion-Smith, said: “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.”