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Code of conduct
Below you will find details of what is expected of children travelling on our school transport each day, it is important to make sure these guidelines are followed in order to ensure the smooth running of our services.
Please note: 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 If neither of these conditions are met the taxi may be withdrawn.
If your child is travelling on our school transport, they must:
- be at the stop 5 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, how to cross the road safely, and has an appropriate knowledge of the Highway Code
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
Fixed exclusions
In consultation with the pupil's school, it may be necessary to issue periods of fixed exclusion from transport.
Parents will be responsible for transporting their own children during any period of exclusion.
The Department for Education guidance states that non-provision of transport during these periods does not mean that we are not fulfilling our statutory duties, merely that transport arrangements were made but, as a result of behavioural issues, had to be suspended or removed.
Pupils who display challenging behaviour when travelling with other pupils between home and school, will not receive a taxi of their own as a result of this behaviour.
Withdrawal of transport based on instances of unacceptable or dangerous behaviour:
Whilst the we understand our duty to provide travel assistance to children who are eligible, there may be instances where we will look to withdraw assistance. In instances of unacceptable behaviour, or where a child's behaviour potentially risks harm to themselves and others in the vehicle (including the transport crew), we are then unable to fulfil our safeguarding responsibility.
We have to ensure that journeys are safe for everyone, and where we cannot be certain of this, a review of arrangements will be undertaken and transport may be withdrawn.
If temporary alternative arrangements are made, parents and carers will be written to, and families, schools and other professionals will be asked to produce a plan, with timescales, on how the child or young person will return to shared transport.
If this is not possible, then transport may be withdrawn permanently, and a mileage allowance offered.
