Letters Home

 

14th September 2004

Dear Parents

I am writing to all parents whose sons or daughters travel on the buses going to and from Ambrosden. You will be aware that last year, we had several complaints from the bus company, Grayline, about the behaviour of a minority of students on the buses. I am sorry to inform you that during the first week of term, we have received further complaints about rudeness and failure to cooperate with the driver, and we have also received one complaint about the behaviour of several students immediately on getting off the bus in Ambrosden. A minority of students do not seem yet to appreciate fully the seriousness of the situation.

You will understand that we cannot allow students to put the driver’s concentration at risk and jeopardize the health and safety of other students. Nor are we prepared to allow the good reputation of the College in the community to suffer because a very few students cannot behave in a civilized way. Ms Causon, Deputy Headteacher, and I have spoken to students travelling on both these buses. We have also drawn up seating plans which students are expected to adhere to both on the way to and from the College. We have also made it clear that students should expect the bus company to refuse to allow a student to travel, if they feel they are a danger to others, directly or indirectly, or if they are rude to the driver. The College will support such a decision.

I would therefore be grateful if you would kindly inform students again of the rules:

•
 Each student should carry for every journey their Local Education Authority pass. The colour of the pass determines which bus to and from Ambrosden they should travel on.
•
 All students should wear the seat belts provided at all times when the bus is in motion
•
 The buses to and from Ambrosden have seating plans which students are expected to keep to during the journey to and from home.
•
 The right to travel may be withdrawn if behaviour is poor or if students disobey the rules of the bus company or the College ­ i.e. they do not wear seat belts, they are moving when the bus is in motion, they cause any kind of distraction to the driver, or they are rude or uncooperative.
•
 Parents whose sons or daughters are banned from the transport provided will have to make alternative arrangements to get students to and from school.
I am fully aware that many students behave well on these buses. For their sake, I am determined to ensure that all students keep to the basic rules. These rules will also be outlined in the newsletter shortly to be published. The bus company is of course aware of these actions and has received copies of the seating plans and this letter. Should you have any further concern, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,

Cynthia Bartlett
Headteacher

Bicester Community College
Queens Avenue • Bicester
Oxfordshire • OX26 2NS
Tel: 01869 243331
Fax: 01869 246396
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Last updated 18.09.2004
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