Mum Slams Council for Cutting School Bus Funding

A mum has blasted Bracknell Forest Council for scrapping free bus travel for Ascot students, saying residents are too often "overlooked and forgotten".

The council says it will stop funding transport to Charters School in Sunningdale if another secondary school is closer to a childs home. Emily Booth, 37, says the move will hit families at Ascot Heath Primary hardest; many pupils traditionally go on to Charters.

She told reporters: "It feels really unfair to change this policy and punish future generations. I don't feel parents were properly consulted."

Booth, a project manager who lives in North Ascot, said families moved to the area because of the Charters bus and will lose out if it goes. "It's ultimately just a small high street and a racecourse, but we often get overlooked here," she added.

She has challenged councillors to try the walk children would be expected to make. "I would invite them to come and walk the route from my house with me, with my little girl and a backpack on, in the rain at 6.30am in November, to see how practical it is."

Grainne Siggins, executive director at Bracknell Forest Council, said: "The council is changing its education transport policy to reflect national guidelines and ensure transport decisions are made consistently and fairly. It will only apply to children starting a new school from September 2027."

"All schools in Bracknell Forest and Charters School were made aware of the proposed changes and were asked to share information with their parents/ carers in June."

"Families currently receiving free bus passes for education transport to Charters School were also contacted directly, with information on how they could have their say on the proposed changes in the consultation on the council website."

"Where eligibility depends on the safety of a walking route, assessments will continue to be carried out in line with national guidance. The assessment will also consider concerns about the suitability of walking routes for the child's age."

"Families whose children do not qualify for free transport but do not wish their child to walk can purchase a bus pass for school transport."

The council previously said the change would bring its policy in line with statutory duties and save around 3,000 a year. Existing pupils will be able to continue using the service until they finish Year 11. A public consultation found 68 per cent of respondents opposed the proposal, while 32 per cent supported it.

Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter