Karen is campaigning for fair treatment of denominational schools in Staffordshire as the County Council consults on possible changes to the funding for school transport. The Council proposes to remove the financial support for transport costs for pupils attending denominational schools - which in Staffordshire Moorlands largely means Catholic schools. Karen said: "This consultation is the subject of the greatest concern to many people in the Moorlands as my post bag shows. "I am working with my fellow Staffordshire MPs and with the County council to make sure the issues are thoroughly considered. I am not sure that the full impact of the proposed changes has been explored. "I expect many parents will be worse off when choosing a denominational school - and choice is a key principle for me in education. But also, for example, because Staffordshire operates a three tier system with first, middle and high schools for most schools but where Catholic schools in the county use the primary and secondary structure there may be unintended consequences of the changes. If many parents whose children attend Catholic schools cannot afford the costs of the extra distance their children must travel they may well even decide to use non-Catholic schools and that could question the viability of existing Catholic schools and put pressure on the system. This is by no means sure but we must put the effort in to understand the implications. We must also assess the potential benefits of the proposal which are not set out clearly and understand the motivation behind the plans." Karen wrote to parents in Catholic primary schools encouraging them to respond to the consultation. The text of the letter to one group of schools is reproduced below. 6 June 2010 Dear Parent Staffordshire County Council School Transport Consultation I wanted to contact as many of you as possible regarding the consultation that Staffordshire County Council is carrying out on transport to denominational schools. The Council proposes to remove the financial support for transport costs to attend such schools in Staffordshire, including Painsley College. I am well aware of the negative impact that this would have on Catholic schools in Staffordshire Moorlands and the additional expense it will cause parents. I am keen that the Council's consultation is fair and does not discriminate against any religion and I want to make sure that all our voices are heard. I will do my best through Parliament and by talking to the County Council to represent your interests and I have organised meetings with other Staffordshire MPs to discuss the issue. I am also meeting Cllr Ian Parry, the County Council Cabinet member responsible for Children and Young people and his County Council staff to discuss parents' concerns. But, it is very important that you also respond to the consultation before the deadline of the 25th June. The more responses the council receive the more they will see the strength of feeling. You can write to the council at: Transport Consultation, Staffordshire County Council, Tipping Street, Stafford, ST16 2DH or you can send an email to: [email protected]. If you have not received information on the consultation from the council you can find out about it on their website at: http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/education/schoolsandcolleges/Schooltran…. I would be grateful if you could send me a copy of your response to the Council so that I can better represent you and other parents and children. You can send it to me at House of Commons, London, SW1A 1AA or email [email protected]. I will make a submission myself - which I will share with the head teachers of affected schools for your information. I look forward to hearing from you. With best wishes, Karen Bradley MP