A discounted travel scheme for children travelling to faith schools in and around Nottinghamshire could be withdrawn from September 2027 under proposals due to be considered by the Cabinet on 16 July.
The discretionary scheme, which currently supports pupils who choose to attend a specific school because of their religion or belief, costs the council around £1 million a year and benefits around 520 children at 15 schools across Nottinghamshire, Nottingham City, Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.
The scheme includes discounted annual travel passes for some pupils, free travel for eligible primary-age children from low-income families (where the faith school is between two and 20 miles from home) and extended free travel for some secondary-age pupils from low-income families travelling up to 25 miles. It also includes a large family concession, where eligible families attending the nearest suitable denominational school pay for only the two youngest children.
The proposal to withdraw the scheme follows a public consultation held earlier this year and comes as the authority works to manage significant financial pressures and set a balanced budget. Nottinghamshire is one of only a small number of local authorities that still offers discounted transport for pupils attending a school because of their faith, so withdrawing the scheme would bring the county in line with most other areas if approved. The change would also mean the withdrawal of the following council-subsidised buses serving affected faith schools:
- St Edmund Campion, West Bridgford – 448
- Christ the King School, Arnold – 910
- The McAuley Catholic High School, Doncaster – 668, 669
- St John Houghton, Ilkeston – 415, 416
- The Trinity Catholic School, Aspley – 218, 650
- English Martyrs School, Long Eaton – 517
- The Becket School, West Bridgford – 441, 442, 447, 448, 449, 681
- All Saints Catholic Academy, Mansfield – 213, 214, 215, 217, 219, 221, 224
- Good Shepherd Primary Catholic Academy, Woodthorpe – 652
- St Philip Neri, Mansfield – 215, 219, 224
- The Emmanuel School, West Bridgford – 681
- Bluecoat Academy, Aspley – 218, 652
- National CofE Academy, Hucknall – 413, 414, 415/417
- Burntstump Seely, Arnold – 710
Statutory home-to-school transport entitlements would not be affected if the recommendation is approved, including extended rights for low-income families.
Councillor Bert Bingham, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “I sincerely thank everyone who took part in the consultation. The significant response from families, schools, trusts, diocesan partners and others shows how much this scheme is valued by communities across Nottinghamshire.
“This is not a recommendation we have made lightly, and we recognise that, ideally, we would want to support affordable travel options for as many pupils as possible. However, the funding available means we must make difficult choices and focus our limited resources on services that we are legally required to provide.
“We believe this recommendation reflects a balance between the consultation responses, the council’s legal responsibilities, equality considerations and the need to manage significant financial pressures.
“We know this recommendation will be unsettling for families who depend on this discretionary travel concession and bus services to get their children to and from school, and we do not underestimate the concern it may cause.
“If the recommendation is approved, families most affected will be offered targeted financial support for low-income primary school pupils, alongside dedicated journey planning support over the next 12 months for all affected families to help them prepare before any changes take effect.”
“Faith schools play an important and valued role in Nottinghamshire, and we are committed to continuing our strong and positive relationship with faith communities in the years ahead.”
