Yellow School Bus - Code of practice

School Bus Drivers agree to:

follow the scheduled route and timetable and stop at all designated points to pick up or drop off; and notify their bus company if there are any problems in adhering to the timetable.
ensure that each passenger has a valid boarding card with a photograph.
maintain a courteous and professionally detached relationship with students.
report any incident of misbehaviour. If needed, assistance from bus company staff, the school or the Police will be sought and as a last resort, eviction of the student(s) concerned may be necessary.
check for lost property at the end of each journey and hand any items found to the bus company.

approach each pick-up point slowly and with care, and not brake sharply. Wherever possible pick up and set down students onto the pavement, and not onto the carriageway.
keep the doors closed until the bus is at a complete standstill and not allow children to open or close the doors of the bus.
always wait for several seconds before closing the door and use nearside mirrors to check for latecomers trying to board before pulling away.
not leave the pick-up point until all students are seated.
make sure that all students are well clear of the bus before moving off.
ask an adult to act as a guide if it is necessary to reverse the bus, activate the buzzer and only reverse before setting down, or after picking up, students.
co-operate with the school over arrangements for circulation, parking, picking up and setting down within school grounds.

make sure all luggage is safely stowed, and the gangway and emergency exits are not obstructed.
enforce the certified capacity of the bus and follow the Highway Code at all times.
not smoke at any time on board school bus or use a mobile phone while the bus is in motion.

communicate with the bus company, in the event of a breakdown or accident, and instruct the students that they must not leave the bus unless they are at risk by remaining on the bus.
if necessary, evacuate the bus in a calm, orderly manner and take students to a safe distance from the bus.
ensure they know how to locate and use the emergency exits, fire extinguisher and any other safety equipment.