Parents, carers, and school leaders in Nottinghamshire are being asked to share their thoughts on the future of the council’s discretionary faith school transport scheme as part of a new public consultation.
The Nottinghamshire County Council review, which opened on 30 April 2026 and continues until 12 June 2026, focuses on a service that currently helps around 520 young people travel to 15 different faith schools. The scheme costs approximately £1.25 million annually, with families currently contributing 20 per cent of the cost and the council covering the remaining £1 million.
The council has outlined four potential options for the future of the service. These include maintaining the current policy, removing the scheme from September 2027, withdrawing the scheme from September 2031 with a transition period to protect current pupils, or increasing the amount parents pay to contribute to the costs. Local officials have confirmed that the review does not affect statutory home-to-school transport, meaning children who qualify for free travel on those grounds will continue to receive it.
This review is part of a broader effort by the local authority to manage a projected budget shortfall, with the council aiming to save £44-45 million over the next three years. Before launching this public feedback process, the council met with representatives from the Catholic Diocese of Nottingham and the Anglican Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham to discuss the potential changes.
Of the 15 schools currently served by the transport arrangement, 10 are located within Nottinghamshire, while the others are situated in Nottingham City, Derbyshire, and Doncaster. A final decision on how to proceed is expected to be published by 3 August 2026, ensuring that any changes are clear ahead of the 2027 school admissions cycle.
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