A ‘DEVASTATED’ mother says she may have to withdraw her children from a York Roman Catholic primary school following a council decision to scrap a school bus.

Siobhan Taylor said City of York Council was removing the dedicated bus for St Wilfrid’s RC School from the start of the next school year in September.

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“I have twin sons, Drew and Nat, at St Wilfrid’s in Year 2, and we currently pay £380 for each child for a place on the W3 bus,” she said.

“It is devastating for us as a family that we are now having to consider taking our children out of a school in which they are settled and thriving and offers them the Catholic education that I believe they have a right to access.”

She said she chose St Wilfrid’s, which was about 2.5 miles from their home in Rawcliffe, as it supported her in raising them in the Catholic faith.

She said there was an attempt to get parents to provide lifts to and from school through car sharing, but this was not a fool proof solution, as by default the parents using the bus also generally worked full time.

“I am aware of several families who will be affected by this move and we are all devastated that we may need to consider moving our children to other schools.”

Fiona Andrews said her son William was also affected by the decision, although his father was fortunately retired and would be able to drive him too and from school each day.

However, she pointed out this would add to congestion on York’s streets, at a time when the green aim was to reduce traffic.

A council spokesman said it decided as long ago as 2013 that transport for children attending denominational schools would be withdrawn because of the need to find savings.

“Since then, some services have continued for the benefit of students who were eligible for assistance at that time and families who wished to pay for a seat,” he said.

“The decision to end support for the bus at St Wilfred’s was taken in April last year in full consultation with the school.

“We remain committed to freedom of choice and funds are available to help parents under certain circumstances.”