Behaviour on school transport

The Travel and Transport team want to ensure that all students are safe and happy when travelling to their place of education.

We work closely with the following people to ensure that any issues that arise are dealt with promptly:

• Students
• Parents and guardians
• Schools and colleges
• Operators, drivers and passenger assistants
• Advisory services (social workers, Education, Health and Care Plan co-ordinators etc.)

We also work closely with operators, police, schools, colleges, parents and students to ensure that our transport is a bully free zone.

Visit our home to school transport page for more information on our transport policy.

Behaviour expectations

Examples of how we expect students to behave when using school transport include:

Waiting for the bus

• Students should queue in an orderly manner, ensuring they are not on the road or obstructing other paying customers
• Have bus passes or money ready for inspection or scanning
• Keep bus passes safe and in good condition
• If transport doesn't arrive when expected, students should wait for 30 minutes before they return home. Parents and guardians should have arrangements in place in case this happens.

Travelling on the bus

• Students are always seated
• Seatbelts are always used (where available)
• Noise is kept to a level that is not distracting
• No objects are thrown
• Safety equipment is not interfered with
• Rubbish is not left on the vehicle

Unacceptable behaviours

Examples of unacceptable behaviours when using school transport include:

• Bullying, harassment or intimidation (physical and/or verbal)
• Fighting or distracting the driver
• Failure to adhere to the safety rules onboard
• Using the emergency exit
• Carrying a blade or any sharp instrument
• Smoking, e-cigarette or drug use
• Moving around the vehicle
• Throwing objects around the vehicle
• Taking photos or videos with mobile phones or other devices
• Tampering with any health and safety equipment
• Verbal abuse or spitting
• Assaulting any staff
• Vandalism or damage to the vehicle

In cases of physical assault and vandalism, criminal law is applicable and the police will be involved.

In cases of vandalism, parents and guardians will be financially responsible for any damage caused as a result of the student's behaviour.

Failure to reimburse the operator may lead to court action being taken.

Travel exclusions

Cases of frequent low-level behaviour and more serious incidents may lead to immediate travel exclusions, irrespective of a student's statutory entitlement.

Immediate travel exclusion

These are issued following a serious cause for concern regarding a student's behaviour. During this time, transport will be immediately withdrawn while an investigation takes place, during which any transport arrangements will be reviewed.

1-2 Week travel exclusion

Transport will remain in place while any report received is investigated. Following an investigation, if a student has been found to have broken our behaviour expectations then a subsequent travel exclusion will apply for a set length of time.

Permanent exclusion

A student may be permanently excluded from transport if their behaviour continues to be so dangerous that health and safety is compromised.

During any exclusion from transport, parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring their child attends school or college.