School Transport Policy

Transport Policy

School Transport Policy

Bus escorts are provided by the Board of Management using grant assistance from the Department of Education and Skills to assist and supervise pupils using school transport.

The purpose of this policy is to support safe, organised and respectful school transport for pupils, families, escorts and drivers.

Main Transport Guidelines

1. Pupils should be ready and waiting to board in the morning. Bus escorts wait in, or at, the vehicle. It is the parents’ responsibility to get the pupil onto the transport.
2. If a pupil is not presented for transport within five minutes of arrival at the pick-up point or home, the transport will leave to avoid delays for other pupils.
3. A short transition period is allowed for pupils moving from home to vehicle. Parents still need to have pupils ready at the appointed time.
4. If a pupil is upset before leaving home and poses a risk to the escort or driver in the confined space of a vehicle, the school may decline transport on that occasion.
5. Transport will not return to a pupil’s home for forgotten items, to avoid delaying other pupils.
6. If pupils are not travelling, escorts and drivers appreciate being informed in advance where possible.
7. Pupils will only be handed over to named persons. The school will not release pupils to travel unaccompanied or with third parties unless written permission has been provided in advance.
8. Escorts are not permitted to drop off at empty houses or at locations other than the specified transport location.
9. Items in the pupil’s possession that may be a hazard to themselves or others will be removed.
10. Pupils must wear the seatbelts provided. Some pupils may require a harness to ensure they remain seated.
11. Consuming food, sweets and drinks on transport is not permitted.

Safety and Behaviour on Transport

Concerns About Transport

If there is a concern regarding a pupil or home situation, it should be brought to the attention of the Principal or Deputy Principal immediately.

Relief Escorts

Every effort is made to ensure escorts travel on each vehicle to assist pupils and safeguard their safety. There may be occasions where the escort is unavailable. The school has a bank of Garda-vetted relief escorts who may be called upon in these circumstances.

Occasionally, if there is no escort available for a route, parents will be informed with as much notice as possible. In that situation, it is the responsibility of parents to bring and/or collect their child to and from school.

New Enrolments

Following formal acceptance of an offer of enrolment by letter, the Principal applies for transport via the Special Educational Needs Officer. This application is then processed by the National Council for Special Education.

If a Child Finds It Difficult to Remain Seated

If a child is finding it difficult to remain seated on transport, the Principal should be alerted and the protocol should be followed in consultation with the class teacher, escort and parents.

Policy Review

The policy was originally ratified on 23 September 2011. It was reviewed and revised in 2013, 2016, 2018 and again in December 2022. The document notes the next review in the school year 2025–2026.