Parents are confused by council’s school transport policy shift, causing frustration and accusations of chaos.
Their travel policy used ‘nearest school’ though, not area. This difference forced quick changes to fix the policy.
Councillors noticed the mistake before a big council meeting. They made the papers public beforehand. A form asked parents to list their local school.
Yet, free transport needed schools listed by nearness. Parents became confused by this strange request. Some villages had their local school far away.
Kids had five closer schools in another area instead. The council issued a notice to explain things to parents. Families should use all five school choices.
It’s good to list the local school too if possible. Parents weigh the school and travel rules together. If schools out of the area can’t offer a spot, the council picks one.
Distance then matters for transport help. The council looks at which is the closest. A group wants the old local area system back.
They think it’s absurd no one caught the error. They ask what chance do parents have to understand it all? The admissions and travel systems need to connect.
Kids risk getting left out if these processes differ. The council caused chaos and left families upset. One councillor thinks the mistake benefitted parents.
The printed rule would have offered true school choice. Councillors helped the current policy continue.