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Primary education

Car seats

5 replies

petzoo · 19/10/2014 22:26

Hello, I'm new to this site and would love a bit of advice. Our DD aged 7 was recently with some of the class invited to attend another school for a sporting competition. We arranged to collect DD from school to transport DD over, on collection the head requested us to escort 2 other children in our car. I said that we didn't have enough booster seats and he replied that they were not necessary as we were travelling on school business. I'm also assuming that these parents were not even informed. Is this right. Thank you

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Picturesinthefirelight · 19/10/2014 22:28

No it's not right. For a start if you are transporting children on school
Business you need business insurance (as opposed to giving your mates child a lift with their advance permission)

As the driver of a car you & only you are responsible for ensuring the correct car seats are used. The rules are different for minibuses & coaches etc.

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ilovepowerhoop · 19/10/2014 22:32

they would need a car seat if they were under 135cm which at age 7 they probably were. If it was a one-off short journey then you are not strictly breaking the law according to this link:

www.childcarseats.org.uk/the-law/cars-taxis-private-hire-vehicles-vans-and-goods-vehicles/

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Pipsqueak16 · 19/10/2014 22:33

It might be legal, as taxi's don't need to have booster seats for children either. It's beside the point however as it's a safety issue. I would be furious if DS's were transported in a private car without a proper booster seat without my consent- which I would not give.

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Mumtothenipper · 19/10/2014 22:35

Head has got that totally wrong.
You have to have business insurance for a start.
School can not request you to drive other children, it has to be an arrangement made between you and their parents.
There was a mine field of very strict rules published on this about 10 years ago.

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petzoo · 19/10/2014 22:51

Thank you all. At the time I was slightly wary that the other teachers seemed reluctant to take them in their own cars and were so very eager to palm them off on us. I stupidly didnt question it as i always held him in a position of trust!! I would personally hit the roof if he had done the same with my child.