Hundreds of Scottish pupils denied free school transport under new policy

Find, save and share Public Notices that affect you. Search the Public Notice Portal What is the Public Notice Portal?What is the Public Notice Portal? The Public Notice Portal carries statutory public notices published in local newspapers and is the fastest and most effective way of finding out what is happening in YOUR neighbourhood. Search the Public Notice PortalHUNDREDS of school pupils who received free school transport in Midlothian have missed out this year after the council introduced a new application process. Midlothian Council said it received 1900 applications for the new passes ahead of the schools returning this week but nearly 30% were rejected. And it revealed the number of pupils they were transporting this term was "more than 1400" compared to 2300 last year. Parents have been left frustrated and angry after being told they had to apply for the passes earlier this year and then receiving the news their children had not qualified during the summer holidays. READ MORE: Andy Burnham sets out package of wildfire measures including disposable BBQ ban A public meeting organised by Dalkeith High School’s Parent Partnership saw more than 60 parents confront education chiefs about the change. Concerns were raised about maps sent to some families showing them the "safe" routes their children could now walk to school, with some taking youngsters across busy roads and unlit woods. Organisers of the meeting also warned the council it could see a rise in truancy and was putting vulnerable children at risk. They said: “Families experiencing social and economic difficulties and pupils with additional support needs are likely to be adversely affected when safe, reliable transport as an essential component in accessing education is removed. “This will encourage truancy, put vulnerable children at risk and negatively impact on attendance, engagement, and attainment at school.” The situation was made worse when pupils returned to school yesterday and some found themselves stranded after buses failed to turn up or were late. The council apologised to parents and pupils affected by the disruption after pupils going to Newbattle High School and the Dalkeith school campus ended up being late to class. They said: “We sincerely apologise after some pupils travelling to Newbattle High School arrived after the start of the school day yesterday and two buses carrying a small number of pupils from Rosewell and Danderhall to the Dalkeith Schools Campus also did not turn up as scheduled. “Replacement buses were arranged as quickly as possible and all affected pupils travelling to Dalkeith arrived safely at campus within the hour. We worked closely with our transport providers serving Newbattle High School to make sure pick-up and drop-off times allow sufficient time for pupils to arrive at school before the start of the day. Local MSP Kirsty McNeil and parent groups have called on the council to pause the transport policy until further reviews take place and an impact assessment is carried out. The council said appeals over some free transport decisions were ongoing. Share