Headteacher slams decision to axe free school bus

A Surrey school headteacher has vowed to do everything possible to reverse the "unacceptable" decision to axe a free bus service many pupils relied on daily.

Last week 81 children were told the buses would be ending after Surrey County Council identified a safe walking route between West Molesey and Esher High School.

The near six mile round trip follows dark alleyways out on to open heathlands, along open river waters and across viaduct sluice gates.

Esher High School headteacher Andy King said the move, which the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands will save about £180,000 per year, was announced "without any prior consultation or warning to the school".

"We were informed at the same time as affected families, which is simply unacceptable for such a critical issue," he said.

"The walking route suggested as an alternative is unsafe. It is dark, muddy, isolated, and entirely unsuitable for young people, particularly in winter months."

Mr King said there were "serious safeguarding concerns".

He said the school has requested a copy of the full risk assessment as well as data from Surrey Police on reported incidents along this route.

He said the school was supporting parents who are appealing the decision.

One such parent, Plamena Naydenova, has described the decision as "outrageous".

The council has so far refused parents' appeals and said it spends about £65m a year on getting children to school.

Mr King said this decision comes as schools nationwide struggle with "declining attendance rates post-COVID".

"Adding another barrier for students to access education is counterproductive," he added.

The LDRS has put in a request with the leader of the council to walk the prescribed safe route, together with the cabinet member for education, councillor Clare Curran.

Ms Curran said individual safe walking route assessments were carried out in accordance with road safety guidelines, which consider the relationship between pedestrians and traffic.

She said the assessments assume children would be accompanied by an adult if necessary, wear suitable footwear and use a torch if necessary.

Ms Curran added: "We are not suggesting that families have to use this route to get to school; they are welcome to use other independent routes or transport methods.

"While we are only required to give four weeks' notice of a change in transport services, in this instance we have given families until the beginning of the next school year in September 2025 to make alternative arrangements.

"Families can also appeal against the decision to withdraw travel assistance via the stage one safety of route appeal form, and a link to this was included in the initial correspondence with families."

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.