Settle College says transport changes will cost parents ‘hundreds of pounds a year’

The chair of governors at Settle College has criticised controversial proposals from North Yorkshire Council to restrict free home-to-school transport to pupils attending their nearest school.

The Conservative-run council unveiled the plans this year which it argues will save £3m a year from its budget.
School transport is now the third largest cost for the authority at £51m a year, behind adult social care and waste management.
Simon Peach, chair of governors at Settle College, issued a plea to councillors at a full meeting of North Yorkshire Council in Northallerton this morning, describing the impact of changes on the school and parents.

The college caters for children aged 11 to 18 with many living in rural locations and it’s estimated around 20% of pupils come from outside of its catchment area.

Mr Peach said there was “no guarantee” that projected savings would be made with parents who choose to send their child to the school penalised.
He added: “We understand the need to balance to budget, at Settle College we have avoided going into deficit, however, there is no guarantee that dropping the catchment will help to balance the budget, it will impose costs on schools and some families. Settle College will lose up to £300,000 every year, even with concessions for low-income families. 

Mr Peach said affected families would include those in Bentham and Ingleborough, part of the school’s catchment area, but live fractionally closer to Queen Elizabeth School in Kirkby Lonsdale.

He added: “Families who choose to stick with Settle College will face hundreds of pounds in travel costs.”

In response, Annabel Wilkinson, executive member for education, learning and skills, said Settle College was “successful and popular” but that changes were necessary to bring the council’s policy in line with government guidance on school transport.

Across North Yorkshire, there are 10,500 pupils currently eligible for free transport, making up around 14% of the total school roll.
North Yorkshire Council has insisted that no pupils will lose their current travel entitlement unless their personal circumstances change.

Cllr Wilkinson added: “Parents in some areas of Settle College’s catchment can choose their nearest school which is outside of the catchment and the council is transporting 150 children to that school, whereas other families in that location are being transported to Settle College. 

“The council is providing travel to two locations from the same starting point.  This is above and beyond the requirements of the council. Modelling has considered savings from policy and this will be dependent on factors including parents exercising choice over where their children are educated.

“The council will continue to work with Settle College to ensure any impact of policy change can be managed over the implementation period”.