Scottish Catholic Observer

The proposal, which seeks to increase the distance qualification for free school transport from the child’s place of residence to the catchment school, is feared to ‘disproportionately disadvantage pupils attending Catholic schools,’ according to Motherwell Diocese.

The new proposals would see secondary school pupils only be entitled to free school transport if they live more than three miles from their catchment school, an increase from the current qualification of more than two miles, while for primary school pupils the qualification will increase from more than one mile to over two miles.

These provisions will not affect free transport arrangements for pupils who have additional support needs.

However, it has been met with backlash from Motherwell Diocese, who have urged people to make their views known to the council.

“This proposal, if accepted, will see thousands of pupils across the authority, and in the Diocese of Motherwell, lose the free school transport to which they are currently entitled,” the diocese said in a statement. “By the authority’s own figures 2670 secondary pupils and 1916 primary pupils in North Lanarkshire will have to find, and where necessary pay for, other ways of getting to and from school safely.

“We believe that this decision will disproportionately disadvantage pupils attending Catholic schools. Catholic schools tend to have bigger catchment areas, drawing pupils from a wider area, and therefore more of their pupils rely upon buses to get to and from school.”

The diocese also spoke of the difficulties this could have for families currently dealing with ‘financial hardship,’ and described the proposals as ‘strangely out of step’ with current thinking surrounding education.

“Catholic schools will therefore be badly hit by this proposal,” the diocese said. “This also means that more families who have chosen a Catholic school will have to find the resources to fund their children’s travel, giving those families added expense. At a time when many families may already be facing financial hardship, this seems hugely unfair.”

“Indeed, at a time when the Scottish Government is recognising the need to provide extra funding to improve the attainment of pupils, and especially those from poorer areas, this decision to force families to pay more to even attend school seems to be strangely out of step with current educational thinking.”

The diocese also raised the possibility of families being unable to send their child to a Catholic school because of the new suggestions by the council, stating that as well as academic attainment, children should be support in their ‘social, emotional and spiritual development’—something that is a ‘strength’ with Catholic schools.

“We believe that in some cases it may be removing freedom for families to choose what they feel is the best education for their children and young people,” the statement said. “Under this proposal, we could see the very real possibility of families wishing to send their children and young people to a Catholic school, believing it is the best choice for their holistic development, being unable to do so because they cannot afford the transport costs. We believe that parents and families should not be forced into this position.

“All children and young people should be able to access quality education in a school that supports them not just in their academic attainment, but in their social, emotional and spiritual development, and in keeping with the values and standards upheld in their homes and in their Faith communities.

“It is this coherent support that gives our young people the best opportunity to flourish, and it is recognised as a strength of Catholic schools.

“It seems strange that, as we approach the 100th anniversary of the 1918 Education Act, where Church and state came together to support Catholic schools for the greater good of their communities, we should be facing a proposal which could be so detrimental to them.”

The diocese encouraged people to attend local meetings on the proposals or to contact the council and share their views in writing.

“It would seem that the only thing that might stop this proposal is the weight of public opinion,” the diocese added.

– Parents can contact the council in writing at:

School Transport Consultation (adding the word Primary or Secondary as appropriate);

Education, Youth and Communities;

Municipal Buildings,

Kildonan St,

Coatbridge ML5 3BT

or by emailing:

[email protected], or

[email protected]