FAMILIES in Hawkshead say they are dismayed after learning the cost of putting their children on the bus to school could more than double.

Although Hawkshead falls into the catchment area of John Ruskin School, in Coniston, parents of around 20 youngsters still choose to send them to The Lakes School, in Troutbeck Bridge.

However, families say they have been told the cost of putting students on the bus to the school may grow from £360 a year to £1026.

Cumbria County Council says the potential increase is because of a combination of council rules around funding school transport and a change in the type of transport being used.

Hawkshead couple Jimmy and Cath Tarry, both 66, chose to send their 14-year-old grandson Benjamin, who is autistic, to The Lakes School, as they believe it has better facilities to teach children with learning disabilities.

“Benjamin has improved massively since he has been there,” said Mr Tarry, a self-employed builder.

“We don’t want to change because when sixth form comes along we will want to keep him in The Lakes School. I would be prepared to take him because I have a bit more freedom being self-employed but some families don’t have that option.”

John Poole, clerk for Hawkshead Parish Council, said people in the area should not be penalised for choosing to send their children to The Lakes School.

He said: “Some parents are going to be drawn to Troutbeck where there is a sixth form rather than having to potentially move their children when they get older. There is a parental choice and I think affordable transport should be provided otherwise it flies in the face of the whole concept of free education.”

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said it provided a bus for children from Far Sawrey to The Lakes School as, if the Windermere Ferry crossing is taken into account, it would be the nearest school.

However, in reality the bus takes a route around the northern shore of the lake and parents in villages along the route can also pay for spare seats on that bus.

The Lakes School wanted to increase the number of seats on the bus because of the amount of students going there each day from Hawkshead. This would require the use of a larger vehicle and increase the cost.

Neil Ward, school business manager, said at present a 16 seater bus made the trip and the school was organising a small mini-bus to pick up the extra students.

“We are working with the council and parents to find a solution”, he said.