Faith school transport
The consultation is now open for you to have your say.
Give us your views in the online consultation.
What are you reviewing?
We are reviewing our discretionary faith‑based home to school transport offer. This review does not affect statutory home to school transport entitlements, including extended rights for low‑income families, which remain unchanged.
The discretionary faith‑based offer currently includes:
- A discounted annual travel pass for pupils attending a school on grounds of religion or belief where statutory low‑income eligibility does not apply.
- Free travel for primary‑age pupils eligible for free school meals where the chosen faith school is between 2 and 20 miles from home.
- Extended free travel for secondary‑age pupils eligible for free school meals, beyond the statutory 15‑mile limit up to 25 miles.
- A large family (sibling) concession, where families attending the nearest suitable denominational school pay for only the two youngest children.
In the last financial year, this discretionary faith transport provision cost approximately £1.25 million. Families contributed around 20% of the cost, with the council covering the remaining £1 million.
Why are you reviewing and why now?
The county council is facing significant financial pressures across all services. We are undertaking this review of the discretionary faith-based school travel as part of our efforts to address these financial pressures and deliver a balanced budget.
Does that mean you’ve already decided you’re making changes to the scheme?
No. We would like to reassure everyone that no decisions have been made and that the consultation is your chance to have your say on the options being considered as part of the review.
What are the options being considered as part of the review?
The options being considered as part of the review and their potential impacts are as follows:
Option 1: No change to discretionary policy
- Cumulative cost over six year reference period - £7.25 - £7.5 million*
Option 2: All elements of the discretionary faith transport offer would be removed from September 2027 onwards.
Potential Impacts:
- There may no longer be a school bus service available.
- Parents or carers would need to organise their own transport arrangements for their children to travel to school.
- Cumulative cost over six year reference period - £2.25 - £2.5 million*
Option 3: All elements of the discretionary faith transport offer would be removed from September 2031
Potential Impacts:
- This would allow students starting in year 7 in September 2026 to complete their GCSEs without being affected.
- There may no longer be a school bus service available September 2031.
- Parents or carers would need to organise their own transport arrangements for their children to attend their chosen faith school.
- Cumulative cost over six year reference period - £5.5 - £5.75 million*
Option 4 – Parents pay an increased contribution towards bus passes
Potential impacts:
- The cost of a bus pass (at current prices) would increase from £420 per year for a primary school pass and £515 per year for secondary school pass to £675 per year.
- School bus services would remain in place.
- Cumulative cost over six year reference period - £7 - £7.25 million*
*Please note that figures are indicative and rounded to provide a high‑level comparison.
The indicative figures shown above are based on a consistent set of assumptions and have been rounded to provide a high‑level comparison between different policy options.
All figures remain indicative and will be subject to further refinement and validation as consultation feedback is received and financial modelling is finalised.
Which school bus services could be affected by this?
- 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
Does this review mean that my child’s school bus service will be withdrawn?
We’re consulting on four different options as part of this review. Options two and three which involve ending the current discretionary faith-based school transport offer may mean a school bus is no longer available. Other impacts of these options could include parents or carers needing to organise their own transport for their children
Why are some school buses to faith schools not listed?
Some of our school transport arrangements vary due to geography and route configuration. Other schools are not listed because the school transport is not wholly or mainly providing transport for pupils on the discretionary faith-based transport scheme.
I feel strongly about this. How can I give you my thoughts on the options?
All views matter to us and we’re keen to hear from as many people as possible as part of the consultation. The online consultation will run between 30 April and 12 June and we encourage you to have your say.
If any changes are made, will they happen soon?
No decisions have been made at this stage and we’re really keen to hear your views. If any changes are made to the scheme, these won’t take effect until September 2027 at the earliest.
Does this affect statutory school transport?
No. Please be assured that this review doesn’t affect statutory home to school transport entitlements including extended rights for low‑income families: ie those entitled to free travel on the bus services listed above.
This review is only looking at our discretionary faith-based school transport offer.
Does my school or diocese know about this review?
Yes. We have a longstanding partnership with the faith community and fully recognises the significant contribution that faith schools make to the lives of many local families.
As part of this review, we have engaged with partners including the affected dioceses, multi academy trusts and faith schools .
We have encouraged schools, dioceses and multi academy trusts to have their say in the consultation.
What will happen after the consultation?
Once the consultation closes on 12 June, the results will be analysed and the outcome of the review will be published by 3 August 2026 ahead of the 2027 admissions cycle. Any potential changes would not take effect until September 2027 at the earliest.
