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Secondary education

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Original poster

What type of transport will they provide for school in rural catchment.

16 replies

Feminine · 26/01/2012 01:25

We will be returning to the UK next month, and starting the fun trying to get my son (13) in to a good school processGrin

Our first choice sends a school/bus coach for the kids in the catchment, I am familiar with that (as my brother attends that school)

if he is unsuccessful in gaining a place there, the county (apparently) have a duty to educate him at a school with an available place...the next school is 8 miles away!
I have heard they have to provide transport ...but what kind? There won't be any other kids in the area going to that school.

What would they provide for just one child?

OP posts:
cory · 26/01/2012 07:54

If there is no public transport they may well send a taxi.

eaglewings · 26/01/2012 07:59

If the first school is full I'd be surprised if no one went to the other school.

It takes 80 minutes for DS to get to his school by bus, on a route that I never knew existed before we needed it and it has 12 kids from the village that use it.

If your child has to go to a school where there is no transport then they will provide a taxi, but not if there is space in a closer school but you just don't like that school

mumblechum1 · 26/01/2012 08:00

Taxi. Loads of the children in our village school went home by taxis. They will drop them off all over the place, though, it'll be a long trip.

Kez100 · 26/01/2012 08:05

My sons friend lives in the sticks. They applied for our school, 5 miles away, it's in catchment and he got in. On the first day, his Mum drive him to school (daughter to Primary) and a few minutes later a small minibus arrived! Luckily his Dad had stayed home. It's been put on to pick up all the 'odds' so to speak. They had lived there three years and never knew it existed. It may not have even gone that way before, as it only goes where it needs to.
No idea if that is how you'll be serviced, but you want to find out as soon as possible .

Original poster
Feminine · 26/01/2012 14:05

Thanks all.:)

When you say "taxi" what does that mean?

where do they get the drivers from?

I really want the closer school, but unfortunately YR8 is always over -subscribed!

Its a really rural spot.

OP posts:
mumblechum1 · 26/01/2012 14:07

It's just a bog standard 5 seater taxi with a driver who's been CRB checked.

EdithWeston · 26/01/2012 14:09

For a taxi, they will have a contract with a local mini-cab firm, and they should be insisting that all drivers who take unaccompanied children are CRB checked.

Original poster
Feminine · 26/01/2012 15:42

Thanks...that makes me nervous though...it somehow doesn't feel enough.

Anyone can become a taxi driver right?

And...just because they don't find anything in the CRB? well, I just know Confused

Thanks though :)

OP posts:
Bramshott · 26/01/2012 15:46

My DDs (4 and 9) are taken to school by taxi. They've had the same regular driver for the last several years (well DD1 has!) and he is so lovely - he gives them chocolate at Christmas! The LEA will have a contract with a local firm and all the drivers will be very used to taking kids to school. I love it that if we ring for a taxi we just have to say "picking up from DD1's house"!

Original poster
Feminine · 26/01/2012 15:52

Thanks bramshot I know I am probably being silly.

Its just that we are having such a huge emotional upheaval, changing countries etc...I am getting a little over protective of my kids :)
Here, my sons school is 2 mins away, we are very rural here ...but 8 miles in a taxi was making me fret. Oh, well nothing I can do!

OP posts:
mummytime · 26/01/2012 15:56

The taxi firm will have a special contract, all the drivers will have been CRB checked and they will have used them for a while, I would think they would also make sure they have full back up plans.
If they can run a minibus they will do so.
Taxis are often used for SEN pupils who have to be bused considerable distances, and they tend to be very careful about which firms they use (and for instance they have car seats/booster cushions available).

nagynolonger · 26/01/2012 16:03

Most around here get on one of the school buses. For those really in the sticks they do use taxis. But if there is a place at the catchment school and parents turn it down they have to organise transport and pay for it.

It is one of the problems with living in the country. I still worry about mine when the weather is bad but it's something you just get used to.

Bramshott · 26/01/2012 16:14

It's like a nanny or childminder Feminine - scary as a general prospect, but once you've met the person and they're no longer just a generic childminder / taxi driver it's fine!

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 26/01/2012 17:42

Several children at ds's school arrive in a taxi. Ds is now in Y6 and his friend is ferried by the same chap that ferried him in YR; that's 7 years.

They're not random mincab drivers basically :)

Original poster
Feminine · 26/01/2012 17:52

Thanks so much ladies...

I have calmed down a bit. Its just the adjusting isn't it... I guess? :)

OP posts:
anewyear · 27/01/2012 14:18

We're rural and my boys go to school in a taxi with a 3 others,
Their driver has 5 kids of his own!! Hes great with them..

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