Safety and Codes of Conduct
Staffordshire County Council endeavours to help parents with their responsibility to get their children to and from school. Free or subsidised transport normally takes the form of either a place on a contract vehicle or a travel pass on public transport. The information and advice below will help make sure your child's journey is as safe as possible.
Travel Passes
The Authority operates a 'No pass, No travel' system. Children must carry and show their pass on each journey. Children without a valid travel pass will be refused access to the vehicle. Should your child lose or damage their pass a replacement can be ordered by contacting the Integrated Transport and Planning Unit on 01785 278679 (north of the county - Newcastle and Moorlands area), or 278678 (east of the county including Lichfield and Tamworth), or 278718/19 (west of the county including Stafford, Cannock and South Staffs). A charge will be made for a replacement pass.
If each pupil entitled to travel on a contracted vehicle is to be guaranteed a seat it is essential that only children in possession of a valid travel pass be allowed to travel on the vehicle. Pupils who fail to produce a valid pass may be refused access to the vehicle.
Pupil Behaviour
It is the responsibility of parents to ensure their children get to school and behave appropriately whilst travelling to and from school. The Authority may withdraw travel passes where every reasonable effort to provide free transport and the pupil's behaviour has created a safety hazard, or amounts to a persistent or serious abuse of the system.
Behaviour that endangers other road users, pedestrians, passengers or the driver, or causes damage to the vehicle will not be tolerated. The Authority, after consultation with the school and the transport operator, will advise parents by letter of any incident that has occurred where the intention is to withdraw transport for a defined period or on a permanent basis. Parents will then be required to make their own transport arrangements. The action taken will be confirmed with the school and bus operator.
Pupils must behave appropriately on the vehicle and not abuse the rules. Every pupil has a personal responsibility for his or her own and others' safety during the journey to and from school. Please ensure your child understands and follows the code of conduct.
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Children allocated a specific seat must use it.
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Children must remain seated at all times while travelling in the bus.
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Children should board and get off the school bus one at a time in an orderly manner. They should not cross the road immediately in front of or behind the school bus.
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Children should keep luggage or bags out of the aisles.
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Children should do nothing to distract the driver's attention during the journey as this could be very dangerous.
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Emergency doors or exits should only be used in an emergency.
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Care should be taken to ensure clothing or bags are not caught in the door mechanism.
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Children who miss the afternoon bus home should return to school and report to the school secretary or a member of staff.
Bullying
Bullying or other unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated. If you have any concerns about pupil behaviour on school transport, please contact the Integrated Transport and Planning Unit. Contact details are provided below.
Break Downs
The driver will seek help by telephone and will advise the school of the expected delay and any other relevant information.
Children should stay on the bus, unless it is unsafe to do so, and follow any instructions provided by the driver. Alternative arrangements will be made to get your child to school or home as soon as possible for those using contracted vehicles.
Children should not make their own way home or to school unless you have given them specific approval to do so.
Accidents
If your child's contracted school bus is involved in an accident the local police will advise you if your child has been taken to hospital. The school will be able to provide general information and will pass on as much as they can as quickly as they are able. You can also contact the Integrated Transport and Planning Unit on 01785 278679 (north of the county - Newcastle and Moorlands area), or 278678 (east of the county including Lichfield and Tamworth), or 278718/19 (west of the county including Stafford, Cannock and South Staffs)who will also provide any information available.
Seat Belts
Where seat belts are fitted in vehicles, it is in everyone's interest, not least your child's, that any belt provided is worn whilst the vehicle is in motion. Please ask your child to wear the belt where one is provided. All contracted home to school transport is required to have seat belts fitted. There is currently no legal requirement for service buses or train services to have seat belts fitted.
Please Remember:
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You are responsible for your child's safety while getting to and from the collection and drop-off point
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You should encourage your child to behave responsibly while waiting for the bus to arrive and at all times during the journey to and from school.
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The number on your child's bus pass will be the same as the number displayed by the bus for those using contracted vehicles
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If the bus should fail to arrive, please ensure that arrangements are in hand for your child to either make his/her own way to school or return home. Would you also please ensure that the school is informed of the reason for the lateness or non-arrival.
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You will be held responsible for any damage to the bus caused by your child.
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Unruly behaviour, fighting or bullying will not be tolerated on the bus and drivers are instructed to report the individuals concerned to the school or the County Council. This could result in the withdrawal of transport. Withdrawal of transport may be on a temporary or a permanent basis.
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Smoking on school buses is not allowed and could result in the withdrawal of transport provision from children found smoking.
Please find attached a copy of our leaflet
|Travelling on the school bus - Guidelines for students and parents|
Enquiries
For queries about eligibility for transport please contact
School Admissions and Transport Service
Tipping Street
Stafford
ST16 2DH
Telephone 01785 278593
Email: transport.entitlement@staffordshire.gov.uk|||
For queries about the day to day operation of transport, such as enquiries about the route you have been allocated to, the pick up point, if your child has have lost their bus pass, or behavioural issues on the bus, including alleged bullying incidents, please contact the:
Integrated Transport and Planning Unit
Riverway
Stafford
ST16 3TJ
Telephone
01785 278679 (north of the county - Newcastle and Moorlands area)
01785 278678 (east of the county including Lichfield and Tamworth)
01785 278718/19 (west of the county including Stafford, Cannock and South Staffs)
Email: student.transport@staffordshire.gov.uk|||
The Headteacher or Chairman of Governors at your child's school will also always be pleased to help you. You are also advised to report issues relating to behaviour or bullying on school transport, to the school. For more information on raising a concern with your school please refer to the school Complaints and Comments| page.
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