Following the prolonged campaign by St. Richard’s School staff, parents and the community of St. Wilfrid and others to fight the threat of severe cuts to assisted bus fares, the school has now issued the following statement:

Principal: D. Cronin, N.P.Q.H., M.A., B.Ed.

18 October 2010

Dear Parent(s)/Carer(s)

Cabinet members of the County Council met today to consider the recommendations of the Director of Children’s Services with regards to discretionary transport. These recommendations are on the college website and were accepted in full.

The impact is as follows:

•           All pupils will continue to receive free or assisted transport arrangements until July 2011.

•           Pupils entering Year 11 in September 2011 will continue to receive free transport arrangements as they currently exist.

•           From September 2011, all other pupils except those from low income families (in receipt of full Working Tax Credit or free school meals) will have to fund their own transport arrangements.

The County Council believe they have been extremely generous in their response. Their press release is on our website.

I will be making contact with the Diocese and the County Council to open up discussions about ways in which families who will struggle with the new arrangements can be supported.

Once again, can I thank you for all your support in responding to the County Council’s proposals, full details of which are now on the college website.

Yours sincerely

Miss D Cronin Principal