Using our school transport

Introduction

If your child is travelling on our school transport, they must:

• be at the stop five minutes before pick up time
• know what to do if the vehicle is late or does not arrive
• queue sensibly and away from the road whilst waiting to get on
• not rush or push
• find a seat straight away
• wear seat belts (where they are fitted)
• take all their belongings with them on leaving, and do not try to return to the vehicle as the driver may be pulling away
• remain seated at all times on contract coaches, unless otherwise instructed by the driver
• allow the vehicle to move away before attempting to cross the road, and use the pedestrian crossing if there is one.

If your child is young or the pick-up point is on a particularly busy road, we advise you to take your child to the pick-up point and meet them there again at the end of the school day. If you do this, you should:

• take and meet your child from the same side of the road as the vehicle stops
• inform the driver in the morning if your child is not returning home on that vehicle. If the vehicle has a passenger assistant, you should also inform them too.
• make sure your child knows the safest route home and how to cross the road safely, and has an appropriate knowledge of the Highway Code.

If you normally meet your child but cannot do so on a particular day, you should tell the school of any other arrangements so they can tell your child.

If a taxi is provided from your home address, you are required to be available at the pick-up and drop-off times. Alternatively, if you will not be available, you may sign a waiver to accept full responsibility for your child prior to the pick-up and after drop-off times each day. If neither of these conditions are met the taxi may be withdrawn.

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Behaviour standards

We expect good behaviour from children when using the school transport we provide. If your child misbehaves on school transport we may withdraw the transport we provide. You will also have to pay for any damage caused by your child.

Children must:

• keep their ticket/pass with them when travelling
• keep their belongings with them and not obstruct the gangways or exits
• take all litter away with them
• refrain from excessive noise
• remain in their seats until the vehicle has stopped when it is time to get off.

Children must not:

• disturb the driver
• smoke or vape
• eat or drink
• play music unless personal headphones are used
• speak to or distract the driver except in an emergency or when the vehicle is stationary
• trail scarves or other items from windows
• throw anything from the vehicle

Withdrawing transport because of bad behaviour

If we ban your child, we will give you notice in writing beforehand and tell you how long your child is banned from travelling on the vehicle for. It will be your responsibility to ensure your child gets to and from school during that time.

At the end of that period you will need to assure us of your child's improved behaviour for them to be allowed to travel on the vehicle again.

For further advice, email us: contact.centre@surreycc.gov.uk or call on 0300 200 1004.

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Breakdowns, accidents and emergencies

If the school vehicle has not arrived within 30 minutes of its scheduled departure time for the journey to school, your child should go home.

If the school vehicle has not arrived 15 minutes after its scheduled time for the return journey, the school will contact us and we will try to make other arrangements. In the meantime children will be able to wait at school. If necessary they will be able to phone home to tell their parents of the delay as long as this does not prevent other people phoning the school.

If the vehicle breaks down or is involved in an accident your child must:

• follow the driver's or passenger assistant's instructions
• only leave the vehicle when instructed to do so
• stay with the vehicle until either a replacement vehicle turns up or until a responsible adult, with your permission, arrives to collect them

If there is a minor incident on school transport we will be advised. We will advise your child's school which will contact you.

If your child is involved in a major incident, your child's school will:

• contact you
• make arrangements for children who are brought into school from the incident
• liaise with us (or any other local education authority involved) and the emergency services to ensure that all children on the service are accounted for.

We will handle calls from parents not able to contact their children's school.

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Passenger assistants

On some school transport we may provide a passenger assistant (also known as an escort) to children with an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP). Passenger assistants are provided on the basis of several factors including a child's age, their special educational needs or disability, the journey length, and the number of passengers travelling on a transport route.

All passenger assistants wear Transport Co-ordination Centre (TCC) authorised ID badges issued by us.

They are responsible for:

• the safety and care of the children in the vehicle
• ensuring all children delivered to school on the morning journey are accounted for on the homeward journey
• ensuring that only entitled children travel on the vehicle and
• staying with the children in the event of problems during the journey.