Home to School Transport

Consultation is currently being conducted by the Kent County Council whereby, as

from September 2012, the Council will continue to meet their statutory duty to
ARCHDIOCES OF SOUTHWARK
Commission for Schools and Colleges provide transport for school children, but would withdraw discretionary transport.

This will have a direct impact on the Catholic community, since the statutory duty does not include provision of
transport to the nearest denominational school if another school is closer.
As a Diocese we have the opportunity to make a strong case for there to be no changes to current provision since this will
severely disadvantage and discriminate against parents who wish to send their children to Catholic schools.

The proposal is contrary to the commitment by Kent County Council to assist parents in ensuring that children have the best
possible experience in school. Catholic schools have made a major contribution in educating children in Kent over many years
but this will be seriously threatened in the future by this proposed change.

The main points of the document are: The withdrawal of free transport will disadvantage Catholic families.
It goes against the KCC’s commitment to support parents and their children’s education.
It will disadvantage the Catholic community as our schools were built on sites on the
edge of towns on the understanding that free transport would be provided.

PLEASE VOICE YOUR OBJECTIONS TO THESE PROPOSALS BY 6th MAY 2011

By email to: www.kent.gov/transportconsultation

By post to: Home to School Transport Consultation,
Room 2.35, Sessions House, Maidstone, Kent. ME14 1QX.