Settle College Commits to Free Transport Support for Local Families
Settle College Commits to Free Transport Support for Local Families
Settle College has announced that it will once again provide free transport support for eligible students from local catchment communities, helping families access their local school regardless of changes to local authority transport arrangements.
The decision has been unanimously approved by the College's Governing Body following continued concerns about the impact of North Yorkshire Council's home-to-school transport policy on local families and student recruitment. The new commitment will ensure that eligible students from communities including Bentham, Ingleton, Burton in Lonsdale and surrounding catchment areas can continue to choose Settle College as their local secondary school.
The transport support offer will be available for September 2027 entrants, who have to make their applications by October 31st. Crucially, it will remain in place for subsequent years. Headteacher Gareth Whitaker explained:
"Many families will remember that when the policy was first implemented, Settle College previously provided support to ensure transport costs were not a barrier to children attending their local school. We remained hopeful that North Yorkshire Council's review of school transport eligibility would result in changes to the current policy, particularly around catchment arrangements for 2026. Unfortunately, that review has now been delayed and, whatever the outcome, will not make any difference until September 2028."
The Council is due to consider the findings of its post-implementation review next week. Mr Gareth Whitaker will address members during the meeting, setting out the impact that the current arrangements are having on rural communities and local families in our community. According to the current timetable, any future policy changes would not progress through the necessary decision-making processes in time to affect admissions for September 2027.
As a result, Settle College Governors have decided to act now to give families certainty. Gareth Whitaker said:
"Rather than waiting for further reviews and discussions, Governors felt it was important to provide clarity for parents. We want families to be able to choose their local school without transport costs becoming a deciding factor. This commitment demonstrates our belief in supporting local communities and ensuring young people can access the excellent education, pastoral care and opportunities available at Settle College."
The announcement also includes support for current families. Eligible parents of students who joined Year 7 in September 2026 and who are currently paying transport costs will receive reimbursement from the College.
The College will now begin a programme of communication with primary schools and local families to ensure parents understand the support available before making secondary school choices. Invitations will also be extended to families to visit Settle College's Open Evening on Thursday 1 October 2026 from 6.00pm to 8.00pm.
Visitors will be able to discover the school's strong academic outcomes, extensive enrichment programme, pastoral support, extracurricular opportunities and thriving Sixth Form, as well as find out more about the new transport support arrangements.
Gareth Whitaker added:
"Settle College is proud to serve our local communities. We are determined to ensure that young people from across our catchment can continue to benefit from everything our school has to offer as an 11 - 18 school. This transport commitment is an investment in our families, our communities and the future of local education."
For more information about admissions, transport support or transferring to Settle College, families are encouraged to contact the school directly.
