Mevagissey Families Denied Fair Access to School Transport

Families face inconsistent rules despite children travelling on the same bus.

The Cornish Independent NonAligned Group (CING) has backed a motion to fix what it describes as an “unfair and outdated” school transport system affecting families in Mevagissey.

The motion, to be debated at Full Council, calls for Penrice and Poltair Schools to be treated as joint designated schools — ensuring equal access to transport for local families.

“Children on the Same Bus — Treated Differently”

Cllr Rowland O’Connor said:

“This is about basic fairness. Children are sitting on the same bus, travelling the same route — but being treated completely differently depending on which school is listed on a form.

That simply cannot be right.”

The Issue

• Mevagissey sits within the designated area for Penrice School
• Poltair School — at a similar distance — is not treated equally for transport
• Pupils travelling to both schools often use the same bus service
• Families choosing Poltair as a first preference can be denied free transport, while others on the same bus qualify

A Practical Fix

The motion proposes:

• Joint designation of Penrice and Poltair
• Policy aligned to real travel patterns
• Fairness for families making reasonable school choices

Wider Impact Across Cornwall

“This is not unique to Mevagissey. Rural communities across Cornwall face similar challenges. If we fix this here, we can fix it properly across the county.”

Addressing Concerns

Council officers have raised concerns around cost and precedent. Supporters argue these must be balanced against fairness and consistency.

“Policy should serve people — not the other way around. Where something is clearly not working, residents expect the Council to act.”

A Moment to Put It Right

CING is urging councillors to back the motion and commit to fixing the wider policy.

“This is a practical, common-sense solution. It’s time to bring fairness back into the system.”