Why we provide denominational school transport

The main reason the Council provides school transport is to support school attendance. However, apart from this, school transport can have an effect on achievement, standards, social behaviour and the environment. The provision of transport to denominational schools is made at the Council’s discretion.

The Council’s current policy is that the full cost of home-to-school transport is provided for pupils attending denominational schools on denominational grounds and whose home is more than the statutory walking distance from the nearest appropriate denominational school.

During 2005, external consultants reviewed the Council’s provision of denominational transport.

The study identified that we spend approximately £1.2m a year transporting about 1900 young people who currently receive free transport to denominational schools. This amounts to approximately 25% of the total home to school transport budget.

The review took place within the context that the cost of transport to denominational schools is significantly higher than that to other mainstream schools. In addition transport costs are rising above the rate of inflation and in recent years a number of other Councils have either changed or are actively considering amending their policies.

The study identified a number of options for future denominational transport policy.

A copy of the consultant’s report [PDF 4746KB] is available to download.

At a full meeting of the County Council in August 2006, it was decided to introduce a charge for denominational home to school transport.

The change to policy will be implemented from September 2007. Only young people who start at a school, transfer between schools or move into Nottinghamshire from the start of the 2007/08 school year will be affected by the charges.