Longhill School Bus Behaviour Policy 2014-15 At Longhill over 60% of our students use the bus to get to and from school. We service a number of communities which include Saltdean, Rottingdean, Ovingdean, Woodingdean, Whitehawk and other parts of East Brighton. See Appendix 1 for bus routes. All students (and members of the public) have the right to safe travel. The School buses offer an opportunity for students to travel to school with their friends. Hopefully they'll enjoy their journeys, but at the same time their safety needs to be maintained, and everyone remain stress-free. This means their behaviour needs to be suitable for the situation and it is essential that all students respect the bus driver and the bus on which they are travelling. If the behaviour of students is to be positively influenced then the responsibility for the behaviour must be shared and this emphasises the need for partnership. Staff, students, Parents / Carers and the Bus company must work together in partnership to fulfil this policy. We will work hard to deal with any problem that arises, working with all parties to secure any action that needs to be taken. Between us all, it is our duty to ensure that students understand why it is essential to behave properly in the transport provided. Students are responsible for their own behaviour and should adhere to the code of conduct in place. Children and young people must understand themselves, that poor behaviour, especially that which puts at risk the safety of any other child, driver or road user will inevitably have consequences. Assistance with bus travel A student living more than three miles (safest walking route), from their catchment school (two miles if on free school meals) will be entitled to free bus travel. Applications for the bus pass must be made from Brighton & Hove School Transport, 01273 295196 or email hometoschooltransport@brighton- hove.gov.uk Showing bus passes / tickets Students should carry their bus pass / ticket with them whenever they travel to and from school. Passes / tickets must be shown to the bus driver on every journey. If it cannot be produced then the driver may refuse entry. Students must not use anyone else’s pass or allow another person to use their pass. This is a criminal Offence and a bus operator may choose to take action. If a bus pass has been lost/damaged then a fee will be charged for a replacement pass - £5.00 - unless the bus pass was deemed faulty. One Stop Travel (North St, Brighton) and the Bus Depot (Conway Street, Hove) are places where bus passes can be re-issued. Keeping safe when getting on and off the bus in your own community Students should queue sensibly, well away from the edge of the road. Allow passengers leaving the bus to get off before you try getting on. Get on and off the bus in an orderly way so you do not hurt yourself or other passengers. If you need to cross the road once you have left the bus, make sure the bus has driven away so you can see other vehicles and their drivers can see you. Entering the bus at the end of the school day At the end of the school day most of the buses are in the driveway ready for the students to enter. Students must: Line up alongside the bus in a straight single file queue ready to show their pass as they get on to the bus. Students getting on the 76 or 76A must also show their priority pass. If the bus has not arrived students must line up in their allocated space to wait sensibly for the bus. Bus Duty staff will supervise entry to the bus. See staff duties for this duty description. On the bus students must: remain seated throughout the journey and use a seatbelt if one is provided. not speak to or distract the driver unless there is an emergency. not stand in front of the driver on the stairwell. not use emergency exits or doors unless the driver instructs them to, or if there is a genuine emergency. not eat, drink or smoke on the bus. not use foul or abusive language. Bullying will not be tolerated. not throw items or damage the inside or outside of the bus. If damage is caused the police will be contacted. If the bus breaks down or is involved in an accident, students must follow the driver’s instructions and not leave the area unless given specific approval by the driver. Students should be aware that many bus operators monitor the behaviour of passengers using CCTV. CCTV footage will be used as evidence if drivers or passengers are hurt or the bus damaged. Sanctions for Unacceptable Behaviour As part of its commitment to providing a safe environment for the transport of children and young people to and from school, we have determined a procedure for dealing with cases of poor behaviour reported to us, and have adopted the following list of sanctions that are likely to be applied in certain circumstances. This is not an exhaustive list, nor is it a definitive statement that in every case the sanction indicated will be applied regardless of other circumstances. Each case will be considered on its individual merits, but if it is proposed to vary from the examples given, consultation will take place with the school, the parents or Carers and the bus operator concerned. 1 week Ban Defiance of duty staff or Bus Driver Misuse of a home to school bus ticket / pass such as passing back to another person to use, or applying for a replacement pass to enable a third party to travel. Anti-social behaviour towards other students / driver and other passengers. Smoking. Throwing items around the bus, including food and litter. 2 week Ban Any repeat of an offence that resulted in a 1 week ban. Causing damage to the bus Misuse of emergency exit. Fighting. Repeated Bullying. A longer Ban - More serious offences may result in longer bans: Serious damage to vehicle, graffiti, vandalism etc. More serious assault on any person. The operator may also require compensation for any damage caused, and such an offence may also lead to the matter being reported to the Police. Notification of bans Parents / Carers will be given 24 hours notice of a ban and may need to consider alternative transport home for their child during this given time. Staff Duties Staff are allocated Bus Duty on a weekly rota system. Staff attend the same bus each week so they develop knowledge of the students who access this bus route. Bus Leaders Each year students are selected carefully to be ‘Bus Leaders’ for each bus. There are approximately 2-4 Bus leaders on each bus with a specific role – see Appendix 2 Appendix 1 Longhill School Bus routes The 72 We have three 72 buses which run between Whitehawk Garage and Longhill school at the start and end of the day. The 76 & 76A One of each bus runs between Saltdean (76) / Peacehaven (76A) and Longhill school at the start and end of the day The 52 The 52 bus (Serviced by the Lemon bus company) runs between Marina / Woodingdean and Longhill school at the start and end of the day. In the afternoon the 52 arrives a little later than the other buses. The 2 Woodingdean & the 2 Shoreham We have two 2 services, one to Woodingdean and one to Shoreham. Both take the same route through Woodingdean and the only difference is one is a longer service. The 2 Shoreham bus in the afternoon is a service bus which does hold members of the public as well. Close up of route through Woodingdean The 22 The bus runs between Longhill school and Brighton and goes further up in to Woodingdean. Close up of route through Woodingdean Appendix 2 Job description To work together with the bus driver to reduce any problems on the journey to and from school To sit either upstairs or downstairs where needed To report any inappropriate or upsetting behaviour To support younger students To act to prevent bullying Have you got what it takes… to make a difference? Are you… …A regular school bus user who wants to make a difference to your bus journey? …Respectful of all passengers and have a strong sense of right and wrong? …Confident and a good listener? …Prepared to report incidents? In return we will give you… Free bus pass throughout your time as Bus Monitor Regular training and supervision Rewards…Vouchers, canteen pass etc Our Appreciation!! Application to become a Bus Monitor. Please return to student services by Name: Mentor Group: I would like to become a bus leader because…. Please complete this section in no more than 50 words including what qualities you have to fulfil this role Bus Number: Where do you get on/off? Two Student Nominations: Two Staff Nominations: 1…………………………………………. 1……………………………………………………………… Head of House signature: Parental consent: I support my child’s application to become a bus monitor .