Transport Policy
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DATE REVIEW DATE
August 2026 August 2027
Owner Version Number: Working Date:
Director 01 12/08/2026
Legal Sign-off by:
N/A
Legal Sign-off date:
N/A
Type of Policy: Authorised by Exec: Authorised by Board: Effective date of Policy: Circulation:
Exec 26/08/2026 N/A August 2026 Website, Staff Handbook
CONTENTS STATEMENT OF INTENT .............................................................................................. 4 PURPOSE ................................................................................................................... 4 SCOPE ....................................................................................................................... 4 COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS................................................................................. 5 TRANSPORT SAFETY STANDARDS ............................................................................. 5 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................................... 6 STUDENT CONDUCT ON TRANSPORT ...................................................................... 8 SUPERVISION AND SAFEGUARDING ........................................................................ 8 PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF ARRANGEMENTS............................................................. 9 EDUCATIONAL VISITS AND TRIPS .............................................................................. 9 STUDENTS OF DETERMINATION AND MEDICAL NEEDS ..........................................10 EMERGENCIES AND INCIDENTS ..............................................................................10 COMPLAINTS ...........................................................................................................11 RECORDS AND MONITORING ................................................................................11 RELATED POLICIES ...................................................................................................12 APPENDIX A – TRANSPORT SAFETY RULES FOR STUDENTS ......................................13
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STATEMENT OF INTENT 1.1
Jumeirah English Speaking School ("JESS") is committed to providing safe, secure, reliable and efficient transport arrangements for students.
1.2
Student safety and wellbeing are the primary considerations in all transport decisions. JESS will ensure that all school-organised transport is planned, supervised and operated in accordance with:
1.3
1.2.1
UAE Federal legislation.
1.2.2
Ministry of Education requirements.
1.2.3
KHDA requirements.
1.2.4
Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) regulations.
1.2.5
JESS Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
1.2.6
JESS Health and Safety Policy.
1.2.7
Any other relevant regulatory requirements.
Transport arrangements must support JESS core values of Care, Commitment, Curiosity, Excellence, Integrity and Respect.
PURPOSE 2.1
This policy aims to: 2.1.1
Protect students whilst travelling to and from school and school activities.
2.1.2
Establish clear expectations for students, parents, staff and transport providers.
2.1.3
Ensure compliance with UAE regulatory requirements.
2.1.4
Support safeguarding and supervision of students during transport.
2.1.5
Provide procedures for incidents, emergencies and complaints.
2.1.6
Ensure consistency across both JESS campuses.
SCOPE 3.1
This policy applies to: 3.1.1
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Daily school bus transport (Secondary students only).
3.2
3.1.2
School-organised trips, visits and residentials.
3.1.3
Sporting fixtures and competitions.
3.1.4
Shuttle services between campuses.
3.1.5
Transport arranged on behalf of JESS through approved providers.
3.1.6
Students, parents, staff and contractors involved in transport operations.
This policy applies whether transportation is provided directly by JESS or through an approved third-party operator.
COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS 4.1
JESS will only utilise transport providers that meet applicable UAE and Dubai regulatory requirements.
4.2
At a minimum, transport providers must:
4.3
4.2.1
Hold all required licences and permits.
4.2.2
Comply with RTA school transport requirements.
4.2.3
Maintain legally compliant insurance.
4.2.4
Operate vehicles that meet all required safety standards.
4.2.5
Ensure drivers and bus attendants possess all required permits, qualifications and clearances.
4.2.6
Participate in any inspections or audits required by regulators or JESS.
JESS will ensure an appropriate ratio of adult supervisors to students for any school arranged transportation.
TRANSPORT SAFETY STANDARDS 5.1
All school buses and vehicles used to transport students must, where required by regulation: 5.1.1
Have seat belts available for every passenger.
5.1.2
Be fitted with GPS tracking systems.
5.1.3
Be fitted with CCTV monitoring systems.
5.1.4
Have emergency communication systems.
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5.1.5
Have approved child-check systems.
5.1.6
Be subject to regular maintenance and safety inspections.
5.1.7
Carry appropriate first aid equipment.
5.1.8
Carry emergency evacuation equipment where required.
5.2
For younger students, age-appropriate booster seating will be provided where required by law or risk assessment. The school may provide booster seats for Foundation Stage and Year 1 students where necessary for school-arranged transport.
5.3
Students are not permitted to use mobile phones or devices on school arranged transportation (e.g. trips, residentials, sports fixtures) unless staff permission is given to do so.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 6.1
School JESS will:
6.2
6.1.1
Select appropriately licensed transport providers.
6.1.2
Monitor service quality and safety performance.
6.1.3
Communicate transport arrangements to parents.
6.1.4
Investigate concerns, complaints and incidents.
6.1.5
Ensure appropriate safeguarding arrangements.
6.1.6
Conduct periodic reviews of transport safety arrangements.
6.1.7
Maintain emergency procedures.
Transport Provider The transport provider shall: 6.2.1
Operate services safely and legally.
6.2.2
Maintain vehicles in accordance with regulatory requirements.
6.2.3
Ensure drivers and bus attendants are appropriately qualified.
6.2.4
Provide route planning and operational management.
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6.3
6.2.5
Manage transport incidents and emergencies.
6.2.6
Communicate delays and operational issues.
Drivers Drivers shall:
6.4
6.3.1
Operate vehicles safely.
6.3.2
Follow all traffic laws and RTA regulations.
6.3.3
Conduct required vehicle inspections.
6.3.4
Follow approved routes.
6.3.5
Report incidents immediately.
6.3.6
Never leave students unsupervised.
Bus Attendants (Nanny) Bus attendants shall:
6.5
6.4.1
Supervise students during journeys.
6.4.2
Conduct attendance and safety checks.
6.4.3
Assist boarding and disembarkation.
6.4.4
Support emergency procedures.
6.4.5
Ensure students comply with safety requirements.
Parents Parents are responsible for: 6.5.1
Ensuring student punctuality at designated stops.
6.5.2
Updating emergency and contact details.
6.5.3
Informing the school of changes affecting transport arrangements, or cancellation of service within contract deadlines.
6.5.4
Ensuring students are collected by an authorised adult unless written independent travel authorisation has been approved.
6.5.5
Following all transport communication procedures.
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6.6
Students Students must: 6.6.1
Follow instructions from school staff, drivers and bus attendants.
6.6.2
Always behave respectfully.
6.6.3
Wear seat belts throughout the journey.
6.6.4
Remain seated whilst the vehicle is moving.
6.6.5
Use only authorised pick-up and drop-off locations.
6.6.6
Treat others with respect.
6.6.7
Follow emergency procedures when instructed.
STUDENT CONDUCT ON TRANSPORT 7.1
7.2
Students must not: 7.1.1
Distract the driver.
7.1.2
Tamper with vehicle equipment.
7.1.3
Lean out of windows.
7.1.4
Throw objects from vehicles.
7.1.5
Use inappropriate language.
7.1.6
Engage in behaviour that may endanger themselves or others.
7.1.7
Board or leave a vehicle without permission.
Repeated misconduct may result in temporary or permanent withdrawal of transport privileges.
SUPERVISION AND SAFEGUARDING 8.1
Student safeguarding remains paramount throughout all transport activities.
8.2
Accordingly: 8.2.1
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Students must never be transported by staff in privately owned vehicles except in exceptional emergency circumstances authorised by the Headteacher and
documented appropriately. The normal rule is that private vehicles must not be used for student transport. 8.2.2
Students must not board transport without supervision where supervision is required.
8.2.3
Headcounts must be completed before departure and upon arrival.
8.2.4
Appropriate supervision ratios must be maintained during school trips and events.
8.2.5
Additional safeguarding measures may be implemented for younger students and Students of Determination.
PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF ARRANGEMENTS 9.1
For daily school transport: 9.1.1
Students must be at their designated stop before the scheduled collection time.
9.1.2
Buses will depart according to published schedules.
9.1.3
Students must be met by a responsible adult unless independent travel authorisation has been provided.
9.1.4
Where a responsible adult is not present and independent travel authorisation has not been granted, the school reserves the right to return the student to school or a designated safe location.
EDUCATIONAL VISITS AND TRIPS 10.1
Transport used for educational visits, trips and sporting fixtures must comply with this policy.
10.2
Trip leaders shall ensure: 10.2.1 Appropriate transport arrangements are risk assessed. 10.2.2 Vehicles are suitable for the activity. 10.2.3 Seat belts are fitted and used. 10.2.4 Appropriate supervision is maintained. 10.2.5 Procedures exist for breakdowns and emergencies. 10.2.6 Student safety briefings are provided.
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10.3
Students participating in trips shall receive transport safety instructions covering: 10.3.1 Seat belt use. 10.3.2 Emergency exits. 10.3.3 Boarding and disembarkation procedures. 10.3.4 Behaviour expectations. 10.3.5 Actions during breakdowns and emergencies.
STUDENTS OF DETERMINATION AND MEDICAL NEEDS 11.1
JESS will make reasonable adjustments to support Students of Determination and students with medical requirements.
11.2
Where required: 11.2.1 Individual transport risk assessments may be completed. 11.2.2 Specialist seating arrangements may be implemented. 11.2.3 Additional supervision may be provided. 11.2.4 Emergency medical information may be shared on a need-to-know basis.
11.3
STS Transport EpiPen Consent 11.3.1 The school buses are run independently from the school by STS. 11.3.2 JESS has trained STS employees on the school buses (drivers and bus attendants) on how to administer an EpiPen. These staff members have no medical or nursing training. 11.3.3 STS policy requires a consent form to be signed by parents which permits its staff to administer an EpiPen in an emergency. If your child is prescribed an EpiPen, please complete this Consent Form.
EMERGENCIES AND INCIDENTS 12.1
Transport providers and school staff must follow established emergency response procedures.
12.2
In the event of an accident, vehicle breakdown or significant incident: 12.2.1 Student welfare and safety take priority.
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12.2.2 Students must remain supervised. 12.2.3 Emergency services will be contacted where required. 12.2.4 Parents will be informed as soon as reasonably practicable. 12.2.5 Appropriate incident reports will be completed. 12.2.6 Regulatory reporting requirements will be followed.
COMPLAINTS 13.1
Concerns regarding transport services should be directed to the school transport contact or designated transport provider contact and not directly through transport staff during operations.
13.2
Complaints will be investigated promptly and handled in accordance with the JESS Parental Complaints Procedure.
RECORDS AND MONITORING 14.1
JESS will maintain records of: 14.1.1 Transport contracts. 14.1.2 Incident reports. 14.1.3 Transport risk assessments. 14.1.4 Emergency procedures. 14.1.5 Complaints and resolutions. 14.1.6 Provider audits and reviews.
14.2
Periodic monitoring and audits may be undertaken to verify compliance with this policy and applicable regulations.
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RELATED POLICIES 15.1
This policy should be read alongside: 15.1.1 Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 15.1.2 Health and Safety Policy 15.1.3 Trips Policy (Internal) 15.1.4 Trips Policy (External) 15.1.5 Behaviour Policy 15.1.6 Pupil Attendance Policy 15.1.7 Policy of Provision for Students of Determination 15.1.8 JESS Parent-School Contract 15.1.9 Crisis Management Plan
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APPENDIX A – TRANSPORT SAFETY RULES FOR STUDENTS 16.1
Always wear your seat belt.
16.2
Remain seated whilst the vehicle is moving.
16.3
Follow instructions from the driver, bus attendant and teachers.
16.4
Keep aisles clear.
16.5
Use respectful language.
16.6
Do not distract the driver.
16.7
Do not throw objects from the vehicle.
16.8
Report illness, injury or unsafe behaviour immediately.
16.9
Always follow emergency instructions.
16.10 Treat all passengers and staff with respect. 16.11 Bring dangerous or prohibited items onto the bus or partake in any prohibited actions, e.g. smoking or vaping.
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