Travelling on school transport

Guidelines for pupils and parents

You are responsible for your child’s safety while getting to and from the pickup point and whilst they are waiting to board the vehicle.

You should have a plan in place for your child in the event that the vehicle fails to turn up or is late as the child is your responsibility until they board the vehicle.

You should encourage your child to behave responsibly while waiting for the vehicle to arrive and at all times during the journey to and from school.

The number on your child’s travel pass will be the same as the number displayed on your child’s vehicle.

Would you please ensure that your child tells the school the reason for the lateness or non-arrival of the vehicle, if they know, should this situation arise.

You will be held responsible for any damage to the vehicle caused by your child and you may be charged for it.

Unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated on the vehicle and drivers are instructed to report such incidents to the county council. This could result in the temporary or permanent withdrawal of transport.

Drop off or pick up times may not coincide exactly with school start and finish times due to operational reasons but will always enable the student attendance for the full standard school day.

Please ensure the school has an up to date contact number for you during the day.

What to do if there is a breakdown or accident

The driver will seek help by telephone and the school will be advised of the expected length of the delay and any other relevant information.

Children should stay on the vehicle, unless it is unsafe to do so. Alternative arrangements will be made to get your child to school or home as soon as possible.

If your child’s vehicle is involved in an accident the local police will advise you if your child has been taken to hospital. The school will only have general information and will pass on any information they have as quickly as they are able.

Children should not make their own way home or to school.

Seat belts

All school contract vehicles hired or used by the authority will have seat belts fitted.

Children must wear their seatbelt at all times during the journey on a contracted vehicle.

Parents should encourage their child to use the seatbelt provided on contracted vehicles.

Drivers are not responsible for ensuring that your child uses the seat belt provided on a contracted vehicle.

Code of Conduct for Pupils

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.

• Children must carry their travel passes for inspection on every journey.

• Only children in possession of a valid travel pass will be allowed to travel on their designated vehicle. No travel is permitted on any other vehicle.

• If your child loses their pass, a replacement bus pass can be obtained online. The current cost of a replacement pass is £10.00. In the meantime, your child can obtain a temporary pass from the school office.

• Children allocated to a specific seat must use it.

• Children must remain seated at all times while travelling in the vehicle.

• Children should board and alight the vehicle one at a time in an orderly manner.

• They should not cross the road immediately in front of or behind the school vehicle.

• Children must keep luggage or bags out of the aisles.

• Children must not distract the driver’s attention during the journey.

• Care should be taken when boarding or alighting to ensure clothing or bags are not caught in the door mechanism.

• Emergency doors or exits should only be used in a genuine emergency.

• Children who miss the afternoon vehicle home should return to school and report to the school secretary or a member of staff.

School transport team contact details

If you have any queries or concerns regarding transport reliability, operational irregularities or behaviour on the vehicle, please use the contact us form below:

• Phone: 01785 895024

Sign up to text alerts to receive information about your child’s home to school transport

If your child is attending a Staffordshire school, you can sign up to receive free texts alerts for home to school transport, please register your details with our customer alerts service. Please remember to select the school your child attends.

Downloadable version

You can download a copy of the above information in PDF format below. 

Travelling on school transport (1.4 MB)