SBSJ Bus Service Consultation
Introduction
As part of our ongoing commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our students, we are currently addressing a significant issue that has recently emerged. Bradford Council has proposed discontinuing the dedicated bus service for St Bede’s & St Joseph’s Catholic College, starting in September 2025. This service currently provides safe, reliable transportation for over 900 students and is essential to many families across our community.
St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College, in collaboration with the Diocese of Leeds and the Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy Trust, are actively challenging this proposal. This web page provides key information, resources, and actionable steps for families, including template letters, survey forms, and a contact directory, to ensure your voices are heard. We are committed to keeping all families informed and encourage everyone to participate in the consultation process to support our students’ needs.
The consultation runs from 6th November to midnight on 18th December 2024
Please see below the letter sent out to parents regarding the bus consultation:
Background Information
Earlier this term, Bradford Council announced a proposal to discontinue the dedicated bus service for St Bede’s & St Joseph’s Catholic College, which could take effect from September 2025. This service currently supports more than 900 students, representing roughly half of the College’s population, and serves as a vital link between students’ homes and the College’s two sites, Ignis and Ardor.
The bus service is more than just a means of transport - It ensures that students travel safely, arriving at College and returning home under secure and consistent conditions. Students currently board and disembark within the College grounds, an essential safeguard for their wellbeing and safety.
If the service is removed, families would certainly face substantial increases in both transportation costs and travel times. Additionally, students would likely need to take multiple, less direct bus routes, significantly increasing travel distances and the likelihood of delays. Clearly there will be financial and logistical challenges posed to families should this proposal pass.
Beyond the financial strain and the safety concerns for our families, this proposal could have wider implications for the environment with potentially more cars on the road; there will be pressure placed on other High schools for spare places and ultimately a genuine challenge to the College’s very ethos and mission should Catholic families choose other high schools across Bradford.
Our Response
Statement from SBSJ on the decision to challenge the proposal:
Action Steps for Families
We encourage all families to join us in opposing Bradford Council’s proposal to remove the dedicated bus service for St Bede’s & St Joseph’s Catholic College. Your involvement is essential in ensuring that councillors and MPs fully understand the impact this decision could have on our students, families, and the wider community.
Here are some ways you can support this campaign:
Contact Local Councillors and MPs
Reach out to your local councillors and MPs to express your concerns directly. Sharing your perspective on how the removal of this bus service would affect your family and your child’s education is crucial to our efforts. Personal messages can have a strong impact. Please see a list of Members of Parliament and Councillors that you can write to:
Members of Parliament Representing Bradford
SBSJ Template Letter For Parents
Contact the School Transport Manager
schooltravelconsult@bradford.gov.uk
Write to:
School Transport Manager
Travel Assistance Service
Britannia House
Broadway
Bradford, BD1 1HX
Please ensure comments and views are sent to this email or address to ensure they are included in the consultation.
Complete the Feedback Form
We’ve created a feedback form where you can share your thoughts and specific concerns regarding the bus service proposal. Your responses will help us represent our community’s views effectively and demonstrate the level of concern among families. Please see the link below or scan the QR code to submit your feedback:
Complete the form here
Sign the Petition
Add your voice to the campaign by signing the petition to save the SBSJ school bus service. Your signature can make a significant impact in advocating for our children's safety and education.
Bradford Council E-Petition
Join the Community Facebook Group
Connect with other parents and families by joining our dedicated Facebook group. Share updates, discuss strategies, and support each other in this campaign:
Save our SBSJ School Bus Service Facebook Group
Share the Message!
Encourage other parents and community members to get involved by reaching out to local representatives and sharing their perspectives. The more voices we have supporting this cause, the stronger our impact will be.
Updates Section
This section will provide regular updates on our progress, upcoming meetings, and any new developments related to the proposal.
- Local News Coverage
Recent articles from The Telegraph & Argus and The BBC captures the community’s response to the proposal and the concerns raised by parents. You can read the articles here:
Telegraph and Argus: Parents outraged by proposed withdrawal of school bus services
BBC: Parents urge council not to scrap school bus
Fears bus cuts would 'threaten existence' of Bradford school
