The partnership between the churches and local education authorities has been widely accepted as valuable for children in England and Wales for more than 50 years since the passing of the Education Act in 1944 set the tone for the provision of education.

Church of England and Roman Catholic schools in Cheshire have been sited in particular areas by long-standing agreements with the county council.

The financial contributions of church people have paid for 15 per cent of the original cost of building church-aided schools and the same proportion of the cost of ongoing external maintenance.

This alone has, over the years, saved the county council millions of pounds on its education budget.

However, we believe that the county council's proposals to alter the funding arrangements for school transport challenge the basis of our long established partnership.

Since 1944, the law has allowed parents to choose for a young person a school that offers education in accordance with the particular characteristics of a Christian denomination.

This right has been strengthened in more recent legislation.

Cheshire County Council's proposals to intoduce charges for transport to schools and colleges for students aged 16 and above will inevitably affect sixth form students at Roman Catholic and Church of England schools most of all.

The proposals may well compromise their right to choose a church school for their education.

We strongly urge the county council to reject this proposal and so to continue the partnership that has meant so much to young people in Cheshire and their families.

The Rt Rev Dr Peter R Forster

Bishop of the Church of England

Diocese of Chester

Abbey Square

Chester

The Rt Rev Brian Noble

Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Shrewsbury

Park Road South

Birkenhead

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