Who is repsonsible for school bus children?

[JessyRose]

My daughter is due to start school in September of this year, she is quite young for her age and has speech and language issues along with showing signs of anxeity. All of which have had involved with various health professionals, mainly my health visitor.

My problem is when we have come to prepare a care plan with the school we have stumbled across an issue over her travelling on the school bus. Within her care plan myself and the health visitor felt that a hand over between the bus driver to a memebr of staff would be best to ensure my daughter safety. However apparently there is a "grey" area when it comes to the bus driver (The bus carries 60 pupils and there is only the bus driver on board) dropping the children off and a member of staff been on morning playground duty, the bus apparenly often comes early at 8.40 and the teacher on duty apparently doesn't go out until 8.45 and apparently is sometimes delayed due to "talking" to parents. I feel that at the age of 4 my daughter is far to young to be dropped off alone besides a busy school drop off road and then left in a playground for any amount of time without any CRB checked adult to supervise her or the rest of the under 12's from the bus. The head appeared to be understanding to my concerns and said she would try to come up with a solution but that she would have to discuss the issue with the Local Authority to decide who is legally responsible for the safety of the pupils during the drop off period, so at present she is unable to say to the request of a handover.

I am deeply disappointed with the whole situation that in this day and age that common sense doesn't triumph that this is the safetly of a 4 year old girl and other young children and there are 5 minutes in ensuring that the worry and risk is rectified; either the bus should wait until there is a teacher present or the school should ensure that a member of staff goes out to meet her of the school bus. I thought the profession of looking after children would be a more caring one rather than doing only what one must or only what one gets paid for right down do the line.

Ahhhh well after that rant, does anyone know who is legally responsible for the safety of children once they are dropped off via a school bus?

*JessyRoseTue 03-Jul-12 20:10:07

I remember when teaching and working in a school was not a business it was not a job that people went into for the money, it was a job that you did because of the children. Similiar to nursing and doctors, it was a calling. Now it seems to me that institutions such as school, doctors, hospital and so on are now filled with people who do it for the money rather than the love and joy of working in the the enviornment. Shame really, that you have to question an institutions policy when it comes to the safety of children. Very disappointing
*

This is the comment that seems to have caused so much upset JWIM, it is an opinion and one that I believe I am entitled to. I think society as a whole is not what it once was and it's a shame.

However as far as schools go my daughter is enrolled in one of the best for achievement, I am always more than polite to the teachers/staff and have respect for them. I do believe that the head teacher will battle it out with the LEA regarding the issue of safety because she agreed that it is only luck that no accient has occured. When I used the term institution I was aiming that at the LEA and government. To me the safety of bus children should be a mainstream government issue.

I don't have respect for ALL teachers that I have worked with.

I thought you said that you were going to bed.

I don't think any of those posting in defence of current-day teachers have been venomous. They've merely been attempting to correct the gross lack of knowledge and understanding of the job that you have displayed. And as a teacher (of 26 years' standing, who can therefore remember the 'old days' and let me tell you there is no comparison) I am grateful to the non-teachers here who've supported our work.

For what it's worth, I originally thought you had a point about the bus issue - in fact, you probably do still have a point. But frankly, I'm grossly offended by your views about our profession, and therefore can't be bothered with contributing to your thread or trying to help. It's late, and I have some final bits to do before school tomorrow.

So, have I got this right? You have respect for the teachers at the school you have chosen because it is high achieving. You are happy that the Headteacher will argue your case with the LEA. You are laying the blame at the door of the LEA and government, not the school.

But you felt the need to castigate jobsworth teachers who are only in it for the money, and whose lives have been made postively cushy by the loan of a laptop. Just because?

Actually the comment I took exception to was teachers get paid more and do less, it's a shame that teachers these days do not put in as much effort and care as they teachers once did
as insaid earlier If that's not teacher bashing I'm not sure what is

Also, regarding safety of pupils I don't think there has ever been greater awareness or more measures and procedures put in place to ensure the safety of all pupils then there is nowadays.

And actually, do teachers get paid more, in real terms, than years ago? With inflation and pay freezes, I'm not sure we do. What do you base that assertion on, Jesse?

What does your mum do in the mornings? Get her to drive if you won't learn...

TheFallenMadonnaTue 03-Jul-12 23:16:18

So, have I got this right? You have respect for the teachers at the school you have chosen because it is high achieving. You are happy that the Headteacher will argue your case with the LEA. You are laying the blame at the door of the LEA and government, not the school.

I am please that the head is arguing the case for the safety of all bus children yes.

But you felt the need to castigate jobsworth teachers who are only in it for the money, and whose lives have been made postively cushy by the loan of a laptop. Just because

Don't twist my words please it's annoying, I said they have it easier. From my experience teachers don't go into the profession of their love of teaching or their passion for helping children. Most, not all go into the profession for money and the holidays

I can only conclude that your experience is too limited to draw valid conclusions.

My it is possible that I have had the experience of working with bad teachers.

I find the older the teacher the better

Oh yes, the money and the holidays. Deciding factors!
Us teachers are known for our extravagant lifestyles
Well done OP you now have a bingo full house in the teacher bashing stakes!

"teachers don't go into the profession of their love of teaching or their passion for helping children. Most, not all go into the profession for money and the holidays"

I can't think of any other way to say this apart from "that's an absolute load of bollocks." You have NO IDEA of the motivation of "most" of the thousands of dedicated teachers in this country. How many teachers do you actually know? And of those, how many have you questioned closely as to their reasons for their chosen career? Please, do yourself a favour and get your posts deleted before you make even more of a fool of yourself.

TheFallenMadonna, are you a teacher? If yes, why did you do into teaching?

Because I found teaching students much more interesting that doing research. And I stayed a teacher because I love it. Even though in the 15 years since I qualified, the job has got much more, not less, demanding.

It might excite most of you to know that as of September 2013 I intend to do PGCE course.

Good luck with that then. Nothing like experience to broaden the mind.

Well Jessy as you have pointed out teaching has never been easier - and just think you'll have all that cash to spend and masses of holiday and leisure time

I strongly recommend you describe your view of recently qualified teachers in your interview.

Plus the hours you will have to devote to your daughter. Let's hope you find a school within walking distance.

I haven't read the whole tread but I have sympathy for the OP and believe that she didn't offend anyone.

I'm sure everyone must know a teacher or two who got into teaching for the wrong reasons and are not truly passionate about their jobs. I do know a few and I don't work in a school. I don't think she said that all teachers are like that. If it was any different 30 years ago, I don't know!

If the parent is responsible to get the child safe to school, then the school should not offer the bus service or it should limit it to older children. If its available for reception children the school should make arrangements for their safety and well/being. It is very unreasonable to expect such a young child, who will already be very scared to get to a school environment for the first time to be left on her own. I dread to think that if it was my son. I know he would be petrified.

Jesse If it's for September 2013, then you won't have applied yet, or been accepted onto a course, so don't count your chickens just yet. Have you any idea of the competition for such courses? The bar is set extrememly high these days (dh is a University admissions tutor for the B.Ed and PG)

I look forward to you posting on here in future, if you make the course, and letting us know what a breeze it all is. And I would strongly advise you to amend your views on the teaching profession before filling in your application form or attending interview.

Trish: "I believe that she didn't offend anyone"

Er, your 'belief' isn't what counts. The numerous teachers on this thread would beg to differ, being the ones who feel offended.

"teachers don't go into the profession of their love of teaching or their passion for helping children. Most, not all go into the profession for money and the holidays"

Not one or two Trish. Most.

I'm not sure I'm offended particularly.

But I am disagreeing with her.

I'm not offended, it's a stale and unimaginative rant.
I can't imagine putting a 4 year old on a bus by themselves for their first term at school. let alone one with additional needs. I'd be thinking of every way I possibly could to avoid that and planning ahead. Poor little mite.

TheFallenMadonnaTue 03-Jul-12 23:42:18

I strongly recommend you describe your view of recently qualified teachers in your interview.

I think it might be best to leave that out. The reason why I want to go into teaching is because apart from the experience with my children I personally find teaching, helping and supporting children one the most rewarding experiences that I have had the pleasure to have. Children are far more exciting, unpredictable, funnier, more appreciative than a bunch of adults. Give me a class of 25+ children anyday rather having to work in an enviornment with 25+ adults. Everyday is a different day with children and everyday you hear different tails. I loved school, they were the best days of my life and I hope to have the honor of leaving the same memories with the adults of the future. I will go above my duty to provide the best service to which ever school that I have the privilege to work for as I did when I worked as TA.