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Original poster

School transported children in a pupil's grandmother's car without my permission

172 replies

muppetsmum · 24/09/2015 00:30

My 8 year old daughter had an away match today which I was planning on going to watch, and I got a phone message from school asking me if I was going, and if so would I mind taking my daughter and one or two others as they were short of seats on the minibus. I couldn't go in the end and left a message in reply to this effect. When my daughter came home, she told me that they had indeed been short of room on the bus and had asked some girls to go with parents/family who were going to the match. She volunteered, and, with two others, had made the 45 minute journey driven by one of the girls' grandmothers!!! We know the family, I happen to have met the lady in question and have no personal problem with them, but surely the school isn't allowed to just send kids off with 'unknown' family members, whose personal/medical history/driving ability/car safety are presumably not known to them? I'm normally very laid back about stuff, but surely somebody should have rung me to check I was OK with this? Not knowing anything about this granny's health, I would certainly not have been happy to have a 70+ year old driving 3 giggly, excited girls a significant distance. Am I going mad or is this totally unacceptable?

OP posts:
Mehitabel6 · 24/09/2015 09:06

The easiest thing is for schools not too do out if school matches. Sad Not all have mini buses- some can only do it with parent/grandparent volunteer drivers. Since parents are generally working grandparents will increasingly be relied upon.

00100001 · 24/09/2015 09:35

you need a DBS when it's a regulated activity (e.g every week) Not for a one off lift.

The idea is that in the majority of cases, the offender needs to build a relationship with the child befor e abuse occurs

Naturally, that doesn't stop the "chancers" - however, in the event of an child protection incident, the school needs to be able to show why they didn't check the person.

It would be reasonable to think that the woman in this case didn't need checking.

infor about regulated activities and DBS here (pdf)

00100001 · 24/09/2015 09:37

The school I work in insists on DBS checks for every adult (16+) if they are to be left unsupervised with children, regardless of contact hours etc This includes parents helping at matches as a one off!

uhoh1973 · 24/09/2015 10:09

I certainly wouldn't consider the child to be at any fault in this situation she was simply following her teacher's instruction (this falls outside of any 'stranger danger' in my book).

However it sounds like you were asked to drive your own child and a couple of others to the match as the bus was full and at one stage you were happy to do this. At the last minute you couldn't make it so someone else gave her a lift.

There is probably some rule saying you would have needed a DBS and parent's permission to drive their kids(?). In which case the school would have been in the wrong(?) whether it was you or someone else. So the fact it was someone else is neither here nor there. If this makes you uncomfortable I would ask the school what the policy is on this and whether you (and any other parents / grandparents) should get a DBS check etc so you can help out in future. Be aware that most people cannot be arsed with filling in a DBS.

Otherwise you need to accept that should this situation arise again your daughter may get left behind (again not her fault).

tricot39 · 24/09/2015 13:16

Here are the regs the school have broken whether it was you, someone's gp or anyone else who was unvetted:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2

Adults alone with children in school time should have enhanced DBS certificates and additional risk assessment separately on any vehicles.

I suspect this was a teacher trying to do their best outside of school policy. You probably have to write to the head to express concern and expect a proper reply ensuring their safeguarding processes will be upheld/training given etc

Good luck.

IguanaTail · 24/09/2015 15:28

The school has to have a policy. What happened is categorically not following it. It doesn't matter the age of the driver, checks have to be in place. If they put the child in harm's way, without parental authority, then there is a safeguarding issue.

As a parent, you are allowed to decide on who is doing a favour and being helpful. As a school we have to work within the framework of the policies we have. That's it. If there had been an accident, the school would have been in very serious trouble.

CluelessClaudia · 24/09/2015 15:54

I can categorically state that Ofsted would not give two hoots about this.

Brioche201 · 24/09/2015 18:17

In a small school this happens all the time for offsite activities.Parent ' transporters' are asked to sign a declaration saying that their car is taxed and insured and a photocopy of their driving licence.
Unlike school staff, parents can transport children under Social, domestic and pleasure insurance.
Once this in place parents are not asked to give permission beyond the usual for off site trips.

Mehitabel6 · 24/09/2015 19:26

I would still love to know what OP thought would happen? She was told the mini bus was full, asked if she could give a lift and she couldn't. She clearly still expected her DD to go to the match- so how?
I am not clear what the objection was since she never appeared to even enquire as to how she would get there.

BertrandRussell · 24/09/2015 19:47

Mehitsbel- it was specifically the age of the driver that the OP was objecting to. Anyone old enough to be a grandmother is quite clearly incapable of being a safe and careful driver.

I deplore the ageism that goes unchallenged on this forum.

StealthPolarBear · 24/09/2015 20:02

Merits bel I think the ops made it clear she expected her child to go on the bus and other children to be transported by others with the direct agreement of their parents. Same as the arrangements She'd have had if she'd been driving, direct agreement from parents, following a phone call

LaBelleDameSansPatience · 24/09/2015 20:18

The school was making arrangements for an activity which would enrich your daughter's education, certainly not be of any benefit or pleasure for the teachers. You promised to help, then did not do so. They found a way to avoid disappointing your daughter and her friends. Everyone was safe. Now you want to make a lot of trouble ... I totally understand why teachers just say, why bother?

StealthPolarBear · 24/09/2015 20:23

I'm not convinced the op ever promised to help. Could be wrong.

QuintShhhhhh · 24/09/2015 20:27

Did you tell school that you would not allow your dd to travel with somebody else when they rang you to tell you there wasnt enough room on the minibus for all?

BackforGood · 24/09/2015 20:36

So
You let them down at the last minute.
Someone else kindly stepped in and offered to do the same as you were going to do.
Now you are furious ?? Confused

Surely the correct response in this circumstance is to thank the other lady profusely for enabling your child to go to this extra curricular activity.

When my dd was in Primary - like the vast majority of Primary schools they didn't have a minibus, and ALL dc got to matches in this way. Those who were able, took as many children as they had seats for, to enable all dc to have the chance to play, not just those whose parents could take them. On many an occasion I took a car full of dc, but on other occasions it meant my dd could get to the match when I wasn't able to do so.

We call it being part of a community - you know, helping other people out when you can.

StealthPolarBear · 24/09/2015 20:37

I don't think she let them down. I wish the op would clarify

MrsKCastle · 24/09/2015 20:38

The OP said that she would (if able) have been happy to offer lifts to children whose families she knows, with the permission of those families. So I assume she expected a phone call saying 'Emily's gran can take DD to the match- is that ok, or shall we leave DD at school?'

StealthPolarBear · 24/09/2015 20:38

And the op planned to get direct permission from the other parents. Same as if I take ds and two of his friends I'd text their mums quickly.

iMatter · 24/09/2015 20:39

Crikey. I often give other kids a lift home from matches when the mini bus is too full.

It's being helpful and kind and enables children to play in a match that might otherwise have to be cancelled.

QuintShhhhhh · 24/09/2015 20:46

OP you knew school was relying on you to drive your dd and a couple of kids, yet chose to not go. Was it really then so hard to put two and two together and understand that your dd was then without a lift and would need a lift from somebody else if she were to attend the match?

StealthPolarBear · 24/09/2015 20:48

I don't get that quiet. Op said she got a message asking if she was going and could she provide a lift. She called back and said no. At no point did she say she could.

BertrandRussell · 24/09/2015 20:52

The OP's only objection seems to be to the fact that it was a "granny" who drove her daughter- she mentions this fact 3 times- once with 3 exclamation marks.

QuintShhhhhh · 24/09/2015 20:56

Maybe I misunderstood. But the point still stands that she KNEW transport was a problem and should not be surprised parents/carers were roped in.

StealthPolarBear · 24/09/2015 20:56

Yes there did seem a bit of an obsession with the granny's age. Maybe she thought she should have used her bus pass ;)
I'd really like clarity on whether the op ever promised to take anyone.

RooftopCat · 24/09/2015 20:57

DC's school always uses parent/grandparent drivers. Some may have DBS checks for other reasons but most wouldn't. We don't get asked insurance details etc.

The permission slip that parent's sign details that children will be transported in private cars. School can't afford bus transport. Teachers also use their cars.
Not sure what all the fuss up thread is about.