Protect Dedicated Bus Services for Catholic Schools in Nottinghamshire
Protect Dedicated Bus Services for Catholic Schools in Nottinghamshire
The Issue
We, the undersigned, urge Nottinghamshire County Council to reject the proposal to remove dedicated school bus services. Of the 14 schools affected, 10 are Catholic schools, meaning the proposal would have a disproportionate impact on Catholic families and may amount to indirect discrimination against those exercising their right to choose a faith-based education for their children.
These bus services are not free. Parents already make substantial financial contributions, paying £420 per year for primary pupils and £515 per year for secondary pupils for annual passes, alongside termly and daily fare options. Families already make significant sacrifices to access Catholic education, and many could not afford alternative transport if these services were withdrawn.
Removing dedicated buses would create serious concerns for pupils and families. Many children would face longer, more complicated journeys involving multiple bus changes, unsupervised waits, travel in darkness during winter, and longer walks on unfamiliar or busy roads. These changes would particularly affect younger children and pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The proposal could also lead to increased lateness, absenteeism, fatigue, anxiety and reduced time for homework and extracurricular activities. Families would face higher travel costs, additional childcare challenges, increased traffic congestion around schools and greater environmental impacts from more car journeys.
Catholic schools serve wide geographical areas, making dedicated transport essential rather than optional. Removing these services would reduce genuine parental choice, create barriers to accessing Catholic education, and place Catholic families at a disadvantage compared with those attending local catchment schools. Over time, this could reduce pupil numbers and threaten the future sustainability of Catholic education in Nottinghamshire.
We call on Nottinghamshire County Council to retain dedicated school bus services and undertake a full equality, safeguarding, educational, environmental and financial impact assessment before any decision is made. Protect safe, affordable access to education, parental choice and equality for all families.
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The Issue
We, the undersigned, urge Nottinghamshire County Council to reject the proposal to remove dedicated school bus services. Of the 14 schools affected, 10 are Catholic schools, meaning the proposal would have a disproportionate impact on Catholic families and may amount to indirect discrimination against those exercising their right to choose a faith-based education for their children.
These bus services are not free. Parents already make substantial financial contributions, paying £420 per year for primary pupils and £515 per year for secondary pupils for annual passes, alongside termly and daily fare options. Families already make significant sacrifices to access Catholic education, and many could not afford alternative transport if these services were withdrawn.
Removing dedicated buses would create serious concerns for pupils and families. Many children would face longer, more complicated journeys involving multiple bus changes, unsupervised waits, travel in darkness during winter, and longer walks on unfamiliar or busy roads. These changes would particularly affect younger children and pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The proposal could also lead to increased lateness, absenteeism, fatigue, anxiety and reduced time for homework and extracurricular activities. Families would face higher travel costs, additional childcare challenges, increased traffic congestion around schools and greater environmental impacts from more car journeys.
Catholic schools serve wide geographical areas, making dedicated transport essential rather than optional. Removing these services would reduce genuine parental choice, create barriers to accessing Catholic education, and place Catholic families at a disadvantage compared with those attending local catchment schools. Over time, this could reduce pupil numbers and threaten the future sustainability of Catholic education in Nottinghamshire.
We call on Nottinghamshire County Council to retain dedicated school bus services and undertake a full equality, safeguarding, educational, environmental and financial impact assessment before any decision is made. Protect safe, affordable access to education, parental choice and equality for all families.
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Petition created on 26 June 2026