Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

Expecting Parents to Provide Transport to Sports Events within School Day

100 replies

KnappShappeyShipwright · 21/03/2014 16:13

DS1 is at junior school and has been selected to represent the school at tag rugby next week during the school day. I've just received a letter asking me to provide transport due to "health & safety regulations". I work full-time, my DH works full-time, we have no other family within a 100 mile radius and I'm not prepared to send him off with a random parent, particularly as I can never return the favour. The event is during the school day and finishes at "around" 5pm. I'm resisting emailing the school right now but I'm furious - I don't think it's up to parents to do this, is it? Any ideas on how I approach this as I've got all weekend to stew over it.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

BackforGood · 23/03/2014 00:44

Very unusual for Primary schools to have mini-buses though Spock

(and my dc went to a 3 form entry one, in a City, that has a phenomenal amount of sports teams)

Picturesinthefirelight · 23/03/2014 00:48

How odd

It wouldn't occur to be (& would be impossible) that is ever have to take ds to an event during the school day. Afterwards yes maybe, but during, no.

Dh is a teacher so also wouldn't be able to help.

Martorana · 23/03/2014 07:05

Yes, as we have all been saying- many people aren't in a position to take kids to matches during the school day- which is why those of us that are, do!

How do you suggest they get there otherwise?

khara- you really need to check that out- you may find you're breaking your safeguarding policy.

Delphiniumsblue · 23/03/2014 07:42

I always find it strange that things go on happily for decades and then a new parent comes along and questions it when the alternative is not to play competitive games.
I would love to know how OP is going to solve it. Most state primary schools do not have minibuses (I don't know any) and they can't afford to hire one (imagine the fuss if parents were billed!) The easy answer is for some parents to fill up their cars. They are not a 'random' parent, they are a parent of a fellow pupil. Just be grateful, you do not have to reciprocate.

Martorana · 23/03/2014 07:46

Yes, the "random parent" stung me too......

Delphiniumsblue · 23/03/2014 07:53

People live in these little plastic bubbles where they are not part of the community. It isn't as bad as the person on here who described their child's class teacher as 'a random adult'!!
They are not sending your child with a 'random' parent, OP. They are sending them with one that they have known for probably at least 5 years, is known to be responsible and reliable and will have a CRB check.

mummytime · 23/03/2014 07:53

Our Primary as far as possible walk children to events. If it is too far, then they ask parents to provide lifts/allow their children to be transported with other parents (and maybe bring carseats/boosters into school). Sometimes they do use a minibus but often need cars in addition. If the event was finishing at 5 pm, they might need parents to collect as the minibus they use does home/school transport.

I don;t understand the OP being furious. If the school has to hire coaches etc. then there is a voluntary charge to pay for it. I also think you need to get to know people as a priority, you never know when it will be useful.

Delphiniumsblue · 23/03/2014 08:02

I live in a village so no events could be walked to. The first thing parents need to do as their child starts school is to get out of their bubble, be part of the community, get to know the other parents and get a support network. ( and if they don't have the support network be very grateful to the school for sorting it rather than critical!).
I would absolutely bet that OP isn't going to give up her time fundraising to buy a minibus, or even have a minibus hire fund! She is one of the moaners who doesn't do anything.

WanderingAway · 23/03/2014 08:11

My dd has been chosen to take part in a school activity. There was no mention of me having to provide transport and i cant ever recall parents being asked to drive pupils to and from events. It is not a done thing at our school.

Delphiniumsblue · 23/03/2014 08:17

Maybe you live in a city or have a private school WanderingAway. How do they get there?

Martorana · 23/03/2014 08:28

WanderingAway- how do they get to out of school events?

wonkylegs · 23/03/2014 08:44

DS has been to 2 primary schools due to a house move and neither have ever asked for parent transport.
1st school either used the metro or hired a coach (city, small first school with 1 class entry) , current school has 2 minibuses (town, huge primary with 3.5 class entry). The primary school in our village also always hires a coach.
I think the attitude here is slightly different partially because you can't assume that parents have access to a car (region with low car ownership stats)

Delphiniumsblue · 23/03/2014 08:52

However OP's child's school is probably like the majority and can't afford minibuses or coach hire, they do it for nothing and use parents. As a parent I would prefer them not to 'waste' money when they could do it for free and use the money on things that are really needed.

Delphiniumsblue · 23/03/2014 08:52

I would be asking huge questions if they were spending money so unnecessarily.

Jinty64 · 23/03/2014 09:46

I often have to transport my children to music events in school time. I work and have to take time off work to do this ie annual leave. The instrumental tutor has, on two occasions, taken ds1 and another child in her car but I doubt she was covered to do this. I have taken same other child, whose mother doesn't drive, in my car but mostly just take my own child/children. If no one could take them then they couldn't go. Ds 1&2 are now old enough to get a taxi if I really can't get off.

clam · 23/03/2014 10:55

"Random adult?" And you haven't made many friends where you are, you say?

dizzyday07 · 23/03/2014 13:01

I was asked last year when DD was Yr3 to drive her and 2 others to the next town (7 miles) to an event they were selected to represent the school for. Booster seats were provided but I'm not sure by school or parents of the children involved. I was never asked about insurance or to show my documents/licence etc. As a SAHM I am available during the day to do this and it was the school that organised who was going with who.

WanderingAway · 23/03/2014 15:03

I live in a small town and the children either walk or the school hires a bus. It has always been like since i went to school.

mrz · 23/03/2014 15:19

perhaps if you lived in a small village and the sports fixture was taking place in another small village 10+ miles away which would require 3 or 4 changes of bus if using pulic transport you would have a different experience

intheenddotcom · 23/03/2014 15:20

Teachers need to have business insurance and car seats to transport the children.

Teachers are encouraged by the union to think that it is risky driving the kids around, and many have to pay for insurance out of their own pocket. A lot of schools insist on two members of staff as well for transport.

All in all, it's easier to ask parents.

UniS · 23/03/2014 19:08

I keep a spare booster seat for times when I need to transport an extra child. DSs school own half a dozen boosters, many kids bring theirs in on a day when they are going on a trip in family cars. between it all every kid who needs a booster gets one, even those who travel into school on the school bus.

We are rural and sports fixtures at even the closest two school involve a 5 mile each way trip. The nearest bus stop to school is .75 of a mile and has a two hourly service to nearest town.

EdithWeston · 23/03/2014 19:24

"It is risky driving the kids around, and many have to pay for insurance out of their own pocket" - same for parents.

"A lot of schools insist on two members of staff as well for transport." - which should be ditto for parents. If one staff member cannot be trusted alone with DC, how can the school endorse parents?

"All in all, it's easier to ask parents." - to do something considered inappropriately risk for teachers.

Cost/convenience I agree with. But saying that it's too risky for one group of adults but not another is just wrong.

EdithWeston · 23/03/2014 19:25

"It is risky driving the kids around, and many have to pay for insurance out of their own pocket" - same for parents.

"A lot of schools insist on two members of staff as well for transport." - which should be ditto for parents. If one staff member cannot be trusted alone with DC, how can the school endorse parents?

"All in all, it's easier to ask parents." - to do something considered inappropriately risk for teachers.

Cost/convenience I agree with. But saying that it's too risky for one group of adults but not another is just wrong.

BackforGood · 23/03/2014 19:35

Edith, it's more about numbers.

For example, I've taken children to school football matches. They played 7 a side normally in Yr6, we'd normally take a squad of 9 or 10 (depending if match or tournament).
The school provides a cover teacher for the teacher who goes with them (Who is the Team manager, Coach, and Referee usually).
He can't actually transport those 9 or 10 children himself.
Therefore they ask if any parents can help. So those who can, usually do, and those who can't aren't needed, as there are hopefully enough who can, who do.

the whole thing about not being alone, is just that - an adult shouldn't be alone with a child. If there are 3 children there then they aren't alone.

mrz · 23/03/2014 19:37

Parents should not be expected to take responsibility for transporting other children just their own.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Swipe left for the next trending thread