We aim to ensure that the journey to and from school is a time when pupils feel comfortable and safe. To assist us maintain this for everyone, each child is given a designated seat in which to travel. We have found this helps with behaviour, therefore, decreasing children’s anxiety around the time spent on the bus. It also enables quick resolution in the event of an incident that does not live up to St Mary’s high standards of expectation on transport.

As stated above, we have high expectations of the children travelling on our designated school transport. The journey to and from school is a time when the children have some independence, and we support the children to understand the standard of behaviour expected to allow each and every child to feel comfortable on the journey.  Using a seating plan that organises the children in peer-group zones on the bus helps with this. We have a system of warnings for children who struggle to meet our expectations. These begin with verbal warnings and detentions, alternative seating with another year group and, ultimately, temporary withdrawal of permission to use the service for any pupils who continually cause issues, especially if these issues put other pupils in danger. We ask pupils to practice kindness and fairness whilst travelling by not using inappropriate language and not being too loud. Pupils are not permitted to eat or drink on the bus as this causes extra work for our drivers who are all courteous, friendly and professional and have the children’s safety as a priority.

Pupils are encouraged to use headphones if using mobile devices for music or age-appropriate games, so as not to disturb others. Use of these devices to take photos or video is prohibited whilst on the bus when pupils are wearing school uniform as per safeguarding advice.

If a child is uncomfortable travelling on the school bus for any reason, we are always happy to work with parents and children to rectify the situation, and we encourage both parents and children to speak to the school as soon as possible.

Information on entitlement to travel, surplus seats, routes and timetables can be found on the Dorset Council website: please follow the link:-

https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/education-and-training/school-transport/school-transport

St Mary’s school transport routes are:

• ME001 Bluebird - Tolpuddle, Southover, Affpuddle, Briantspuddle.
• ME002 Bluebird - Warmwell, Broadmayne, West Knighton, West Stafford,
• ME003 Damory - Owermoigne, Crossways.
• ME004 Damory - Piddle Valley
• ME005 Bluebird - Milborne St Andrew
• ME008 Damory - Woodsford, Lewel, Crossways, Moreton, Tincleton.
• ME009 Damory - Charminster, Dorchester, Tincleton.
• ME010 Damory - Hilton, Ansty, Melcombe Bingham, Cheselbourne, Dewlish.
• ME011 Dorset Community Transport serving Old Sherborne Road and rural areas off the Piddlevalley

Please be aware that although the ME009 serves Dorchester and Charminster, seats will only be allocated if a place at St Mary’s CE Middle School is offered by the council because there are no places at St Osmund’s or Dorchester Middle Schools.

Dorset Council school transport contacts:  Should you have any questions, please contact Dorset School Travel on 01305 224537 or please email dt@dorsetcc.gov.uk

School contact:  For further information please contact Mrs Burridge (St Mary's School Transport lead) - nburridge@stmarys.wessex.ac