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Primary education

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

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Original poster

Car seats on school trips

23 replies

sheeplikessleep · 21/01/2015 09:41

DS1 (7) went on a trip yesterday, with 3 other pupils.
A letter came home on Monday asking for permission to take them off site and if we wanted, to provide a car seat (they were going in a teachers car to another school).
I sent the form back and took his booster seat in.
He told me last night that he was on it on way there, but not on return journey, as they went in another teachers car.
I've asked in the office this morning about it. I'm more mindful about the fact that I had provided one that hadn't been used. But I also said that I thought it was law that children under 12 or 135cm had to have some sort of booster seat?
Has anyone else experienced similar? They have said they will look into it and come back to me.
Whose 'at fault' here if they are stopped by the police, or worse, an accident? The school or the parents? (Not that that is my issue with it, but I am thinking it all through).
Thanks

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Original poster

sheeplikessleep · 21/01/2015 09:43

I'm awaiting to be told I am precious
My son told me the other three children didn't take a seat in. Maybe I am overthinking it...

OP posts:

tomandizzymum · 21/01/2015 09:49

The driver. It's a driver's responsibility. I think, if the parent is in the car they can be fined but not sure about this, only reason I say is because I know someone that was fined in a minicab.
my child was 6 and went on a coach. Most of the children didn't have appropriate booster seats, only the odd few with trunky back packs or small/light boosters. I think car seat safety is taken too lightly.

Original poster

sheeplikessleep · 21/01/2015 09:54

Thank you tomandizzymum. I am going to see what they come back with. I'm more annoyed the booster I provided wasn't used.
But I would like to see some sort of change in their policy - ie that it shouldn't be down to parental choice. It should be no booster (if under 12/135) = no ride. But these things are never easy, as it's a small village school.

(They told me this morning that they offer parents the option to provide a seat and if one isn't provided, they just use seat belts).

OP posts:

Seeline · 21/01/2015 09:58

As a parent I have driven DC and other children to matches, rehearsals etc during school time. The school ahs always required parents to provided booster seats if the children legally require them. I would not take a child in my car without one if I thought legally it was required. It is my responsibility to follow the law - I don't want points/fine if stopped. Actually I am always more OTT with others children than my own. I cannot understand a teacher taking a 7 year old in their own car without a booster seat.

tiggytape · 21/01/2015 10:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

sheeplikessleep · 21/01/2015 10:11

Thank you for posting.

You've reassured me, thank you.
I need to be objective, calm and level headed about it. To me there are two issues (1) that the seat I provided wasn't used on the way back and (2) that they don't insist on under 135/12s must use a booster.

I don't blame the teacher. I just don't think they've thought it through / aware of the legalities. I just hope they take it seriously and don't brush it under the carpet. I also don't want it to stop outings either. It's a careful balance.

OP posts:

TeenAndTween · 21/01/2015 10:39

I've had this with transporting friends to my DD's birthday parties. I've been clear, we will drive them to cinema if they provide car seat, but not otherwise.

I think asking school to tighten up here a bit is fine. If you provide a car seat you expect it to be used. (And also say to DS1 to say he is not allowed in car without one).

nonicknameseemsavailable · 21/01/2015 14:50

I was under the impression if it was a one off unplanned/unavoidable trip or using a taxi then it was ok without one but I am not 100% on that.

It is the driver unless the child's parent is there. whichever adult is the one responsible on that journey.

Original poster

sheeplikessleep · 21/01/2015 15:14

School have called back. Apparently it was a Landrover Discovery (i think was a Discovery) my DS was brought back in, which has an integrated booster seat in the middle which he was put on. Whoops!

She also said of the three other children, 2 were over 135. The other one's parents had said that not to worry, they don't use a booster for her.

The Admin Officer did say that they were going to buy some boosters, for these scenarios. She also said it should be compulsory for children under the height to use boosters, or they can't go. She is going to discuss it with the Head. At least it's now being raised.

OP posts:

Singleandproud · 21/01/2015 21:36

Well done for raising it. It should have also formed part of their risk assessment and therefore if something had happened the teacher and head would be in big trouble for not following it.

Starlightbright1 · 21/01/2015 21:44

You were perfectly right to raise it. It is now something school will look at and something positive has come out of it...Good to know your DS was safe.

I have to say my DS is 7 ( 8 Easter )and tallest in his class and only 134 cm so surprised 2 who happened to be on trip are over 135cm

sockmatcher · 21/01/2015 21:50

Well done for raising it. The child whose parents don't use it are doing so illegally. Even when at 135cm sometimes the child still needs a booster for the seat belt to fit properly.

BackforGood · 21/01/2015 21:50

When the law first came in, the school I was then teaching at bought some, just to keep it simple on occasions like this.
It's the driver's responsibility though, I think there can be an exception if there was no way of foreseeing you were going to give them a lift (say the other teacher had had to take someone to hospital or something unexpected).

BertieBotts · 21/01/2015 21:53

The thing is they're not exactly expensive. You can get a basic booster for about £10 in Argos. It's not as safe as a high backed one but for things like this, perfect and then nobody has to break the law.

BertieBotts · 21/01/2015 21:53

(I mean for the school to keep them in BTW, I know you sent one :))

cansu · 22/01/2015 17:53

So when schools take children out on a coach, this is illegal?? I can't imagine this is true.

sockmatcher · 22/01/2015 17:57

Not illegal on coach but not safest either. If my children are going on a coscj and it has a 3 point belt I put booster seat on. If lap belt only they don't go or I drive them.

sockmatcher · 22/01/2015 17:57

*coach

unlucky83 · 22/01/2015 18:00

I'd more worried that they are insured ....unless the teachers have informed their insurance company etc they won't be covered...
It should have all been covered by a risk assessment...this would make me worry!

Original poster

sheeplikessleep · 26/01/2015 10:20

Thanks all, sorry I forgot to check this in last few days!

OP posts:

11112222 · 26/01/2015 21:49

Where I teach I am not allowed to have pupils in my car full stop.

jamtoast12 · 26/01/2015 22:20

135cm is not actually that tall. Ds is an average 8 year old and he's over that. Most clothes age 9 are sized at 140cm so doubt many 12 yr olds need boosters. That aside, its the driver who is responsible but taxi drivers and buses are exempt...it's the parent in these cases.

Most of my dds friends in year 2 no longer use boosters...they're about 125cm. I do use but certainly not for their year 4 friends as they are a)too tall and b) fit very badly I a seat given size and height.

ProudAS · 30/01/2015 06:44

www.gov.uk/rules-drivers-motorcyclists-89-to-102/seat-belts-and-child-restraints-99-to-102

It is the driver's responsibility to see that children under 14 wear seatbelts according to this - I don't think it makes a difference if the child's parent is traveling as a passenger in the vehicle.

The school should have refused to take the pupil who is under 135cm and whose parents didn't supply a booster. It sounds like they don't have their own stock.

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