Parents' anger at school buses being axed

Parents' anger at school buses being axedJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJohn AyresDevon, BrixhamBBCMore than 250 students currently use the Brixham College busesParents 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."Brixham College said funding buses could divert money away from learningRupert, 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....