A bus company is set to pull two of its school services because of poor behaviour by students and damage to their vehicles.

In an email seen by the Watford Observer, Mullany’s Coaches has notified Hertfordshire County Council of its decision to stop running two of its buses to The Bushey Academy.

But the academy says the bus company decided it was "not economically viable" to continue the services and it has "changed its approach" to pupil behaviour.

From the next school term, the BA1 bus from South Oxhey and the BA2 bus from North Watford will no longer take students to the academy in London Road, Bushey.

The news comes as an Ofsted report published on July 18 rated the school as 'inadequate' - its lowest rating.

Mullany’s has not yet submitted formal cancellations to the county council’s traffic commissioner, but the authority says it is “aware” of the decision.

Mullany’s told the county council it because of "poor behaviour of students" and "damage to Mullany’s vehicles".

The email adds that Mullany’s have been "unable" to work with The Bushey Academy to resolve the concerns. A total of 85 pupils use the BA1 and BA2 buses. According to usage figures for 2017/18, 42 students are "entitled" to free travel.

In 2014, The Bushey Academy, which is part of the Meller Educational Trust, was rated as 'good', however an inspection in May found it 'inadequate'. It states that “too many lessons are disrupted by poor behaviour”.

In a statement, the principal for The Bushey Academy, Jon Hebblethwaite, who joined in April 2017, said: "For a number of reasons, Mullany’s have decided that it is not economically viable to continue with these bus services. Hertfordshire County Council is leading an ongoing process to ensure that all students who are entitled to transport are provided for.

"Since the Ofsted inspection in May, the school has changed its approach to dealing with behaviour. Our expectations are much higher and consequences for poor behaviour are more effective. We have already seen positive impact in lessons and this is an ongoing key priority for the school."

Mullany’s has not responded to requests for a comment.

A spokesman for Hertfordshire County Council said: "We have been informed by Mullany’s Coaches that they plan to withdraw the commercially operated schools services BA1 and BA2 to Bushey Academy.

"As a result we have tendered for two replacement coach services to cater for those students entitled to free home-to-school transport from September."