Parents' anger at school buses being axed

Parents have acted with surprise and anger that dedicated school buses for Brixham College will cease at the end of the academic year.

There are currently 266 students using the buses, about 88% capacity.

Parents said they were not consulted about the plans, with some saying they would not have sent children to the college if they knew of such transport issues.

The college said it currently subsidised more than 50% of each seat and, with further reductions for siblings, it equated to more than £150,000. It said this was not financially sustainable and would divert funds away from teaching, learning and student support. It added it would work with parents to provide support to those affected.

Amie, a Paignton-based parent who has a child at the school, said the provided transport eased safety concerns because children did not need to use public buses.

She added: "It is quite a long walk up to school. So, potentially, some of the kids around here are looking at a nine-and-a-half or 10-hour day. When you are thinking about where to send your child to school, that wouldn't be something I would choose for him.

"That's quite a big deal, it's a long day."

Rupert, also from Paignton with a child at the college, said: "This is lumping a massive problem during the cost of living crisis onto people who can't afford it.

"I have to say it has soured the relationship between the college and the parents, which is such an own goal."

Brixham College said: "In light of rising costs and increasing financial pressures facing schools, and after very careful consideration, it is sadly no longer sustainable to subsidise the current bus service without impacting investment in teaching and learning.

"We must prioritise our resources where it has the greatest impact for all our students' education and wellbeing.

"We understand this will impact some students who use the service, and are working closely with families, transport providers and the local authority to provide as much notice and support as possible ahead of this transition in the new academic year."

It said it recommended students uses the existing 12 and 13 route public buses by Stagecoach, and that children with special educational needs and disabilities may be eligible for additional support.

The school buses are operated by Stagecoach.

Stagecoach said: "We understand the safeguarding and capacity concerns that have been raised by some parents regarding the move away from dedicated college transport.

"Public bus services safely carry thousands of passengers across the region every day, including many students travelling to and from education settings.

"Stagecoach will continue to work with local partners to help students transition onto the wider local bus network and to make best use of available capacity on existing services."

Torbay Council said the decision was the college's and parents should talk to the school about it.

However, it added it recognised it would be a "challenging situation" for those affected.

It said: "Council officers are actively working to consider and mitigate the impacts of these changes on our community and, where possible, will work collaboratively with Brixham College to support the safe and effective management of these changes."

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