We the undersigned call upon Oxfordshire County Council to change the school bus service provision from Hanborough to Bartholomew School, withdrawing the early 7.30 collection by public bus of Year 7-9 pupils and reinstating a later private school bus service, which previously ran until September this year.

We feel that it is unacceptable and unfair for the children, some only just 11 years old, to be collected by a public bus, and then to arrive at school before the official opening time and an hour in advance of the school day starting, with little supervision.

We also feel that the lack of responsibility for the welfare of the children from the time they get onto the bus, until the time they start the school day is unacceptable and has not been properly considered by the county council.

Parents' personal experience indicates that children are overtired from the much earlier start, and less focused than their peers after waiting a full hour for the school day to begin. It is affecting their enthusiasm and having a detrimental effect on their homework.

We call upon the county council to take action to change this service as quickly as possible.