There were chaotic scenes at a Luton Borough Council executive meeting on Monday when it was announced faith school bus funding was to be scrapped.
Cardinal Newman parents and pupils, who’d fought a long hard battle to overturn the proposals, erupted in anger – jeering, chanting and waving banners and flags.
Executive members fled the council chamber and refused to return until all the demonstrators had left.
The council had agreed to continue funding for special needs children and to offer a one-off subsidy of £406,000, but had resolved to withdraw discretionary denominational transport because of the tough financial outlook.
Headteacher Jane Crow claimed that as a result families were being subjected to indirect discrimination on religious grounds. She also questioned the council’s integrity.
Council leader Hazel Simmons said: “We are being forced to make some very difficult decisions. We will work with the school, young people, parents and bus operators to secure the best possible solution.”
Cardinal Newman Preserve our School Transport Committee spokeswoman Antoinette Kotula said they were “gutted” by the cuts but vowed to continue the fight.