Parents-Information-Handbook-2016-2017

Page 16
Section 1d - General Information
Security, Travel to and from School
The Wearing of Seatbelts in Vehicles
In order to ensure that all journeys by Ratcliffe students are undertaken in the safest possible
manner, it is the School’s policy that seatbelts must be worn at all times by all staff and
students in cars (including taxis), minibuses and coaches. All staff and students are made aware
of this and are asked to adhere to the policy strictly. We will do everything we reasonably can to
enforce this policy.
The School uses Ausden Clark and Woods Coaches for almost all of its coach hire, including the
School buses in the morning and evening. Members of staff do not travel on these buses so it is not
possible for us to guarantee that seatbelts are worn by students. Depending on the age of the
passengers, the current law does not insist that the coach driver is responsible for ensuring that
everyone is wearing a seatbelt. We have met with representatives from the coach companies and
we have asked them to make sure that all their drivers are aware of the School's policy, but
ultimately each student is responsible for ensuring that he/she is wearing a seatbelt at all times.
We therefore ask parents to help us to reinforce this message about the use of seatbelts to students,
so that we can continue to ensure the safety of all students when they travel in vehicles.
Taxis
For boarders, or for day students in exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary for a student to
travel by taxi. A local taxi company, Blueline Taxis, is used for all journeys by students that start
from the School. Taxis are booked through the School Secretary, Mrs Lancaster for day pupils or
Assistant Housemistress, Mrs Grant for boarders. Blueline’s drivers have all undergone the
appropriate police checks. Parents wishing their children to return to School, for example from
Leicester station, can pre-book a Blueline taxi with Mrs Grant.
Parents should note that the School cannot guarantee that other taxi companies have completed
these checks and we therefore recommend that students use Blueline wherever possible. We ask
parents to reinforce this message to all students.
School Bus
The School operates a bus service to/from Loughborough, Leicester and Nottingham.
Details of the routes, cost and a timetable can be found on the School website
www.ratcliffe-college.co.uk.
Section 1d - Security, Travel to and from School