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Post by serrakunda on Feb 24, 2014 16:36:50 GMT
Am I right in thinking that the norm for school transport is pretty much first on first off the mini bus? Simba is usually home at 3.30. He has just arrived at 4.25. I'm fuming, we had a letter in half term to say that the escort was changing, no indication that there would be such a dramatic difference in time. I've been calling all over the place to find out where on earth he was. He was second on the bus this morning, there was one child left on after him. He was picked up at 7.50 this morning, apparently they didn't get into school until 9.30. So he has spent two and a half hours on a mini bus. They didn't even leave school until 3.30. 15 minutes after school closing.
I accept it takes longer because of all the pick ups, but this is xxxxxx ridiculous. The school is approx 10 minutes drive .
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2014 16:55:56 GMT
Don't know but that sounds mad to me. How can a 10 minute journey take that long? Hopefully it was a one off.
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Post by serrakunda on Feb 24, 2014 17:05:32 GMT
There 12 kids on the bus so the pick up as a whole will take time, that's why it's my understanding that it's first on first off, so if your on for a long time in the morning, its a short journey in the afternoon and vice versa. There are a lot of road works at the moment which didn't help this morning but the escort was quite clear that i shouldn't expect him earlier than 4.15 in future.
I will be complaining
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Post by donatella on Feb 24, 2014 21:06:03 GMT
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Post by serrakunda on Feb 25, 2014 14:22:27 GMT
thanks Don, I knew there was something but couldnt find it. Threw a bit of a wobbly at the school this morning, even more pxxxxd off when they turned up 25 minutes early this morning, Simba had only just finished his breakfast, wasnt dressed and got into a state because he thought he was late. Driver, not the same one as yesterday, then proceeded to tell me the route was easiest for the pick up and drop off of the escort !!
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Post by donatella on Feb 25, 2014 14:42:01 GMT
Cheeky bxxxers. They can't do that. Mornings have to be like clockwork here. If middlys bus turned up 25 minutes early they'd have a long wait. He won't be rushed in the morning.
How well do school/transport/lea communicate? I have a pretty good relationship with school and when transport has been an issue then we band together and fight. Often without the lea/transport realising we've agreed a plan! And if there are any changes, do they not have to inform you beforehand?
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Post by serrakunda on Feb 25, 2014 16:46:15 GMT
Simba came home with a letter from the head, she been just too busy today to speak to me, but can fit me in on Thursday afternoon, there's 70 kids in the school for goodness sake, she can't be that busy she cant make a phone call, Don't think she likes me since I rejected her egg timer strategy
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Post by kstar on Feb 25, 2014 19:49:11 GMT
Omg 25 mins before we're due to leave the house we're sometimes still in bed! I get up, get ready, get her stuff ready then get into bed with her for sneaky cuddles, getting up at the last minute! It's actually a disgrace. They can't do that surely!
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Post by littlemisscheerful on Feb 26, 2014 17:40:35 GMT
School transport is one of the wierdest things I've come across. I feel like I'm the client, but because we don't pay the bill, my impression is that the taxi firm think they are doing me a favour! I have found talking to the taxi office is more effective than talkig to driver/escort, and I also found out that they lose money if they are late. 1 week of me emailling details of lateness to the LA improved things no end!
Hope things have settled down.
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Post by serrakunda on Feb 27, 2014 11:13:49 GMT
there is steam coming from my ears
Head sent me a letter saying she would call today at 12.00. I sent a letter back today setting out my concerns in a calm, clear manner. School secretary calls to say head is in London on a course, not back till next Wednesday, she must have forgotten when she said she would call. How do you forget a three day course.
called the taxi company who have again said its the most cost effective route for the driver and escort. Simba is bouncing off furniture when he gets home. Our evening routine has been completely blown out of the water with no communication or consultation, we were just calming down after difficult time after christmas.
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Post by donatella on Feb 27, 2014 12:11:18 GMT
They're presumably being employed by the LEA who are paying their wages. Are they trying to day that this routes is going to be the one that gives them most profit? What are LEA transport saying? Have you tried parents partnership or ipsea? They might be able to advise.
Sounds a ridiculous way to transport pupils with additional needs.
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Post by littlemisscheerful on Feb 27, 2014 17:43:12 GMT
Have you spoken to LEA transport person? Ours is usually good at seeing our pov.
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Post by moo on Feb 28, 2014 4:10:25 GMT
Hugs serrakunda this sounds totally bonkers... Head seems useless.... Think pas support need to get on her case.... I am speechless that she promised contact & explanation & then disappeared ( unexpectedly ) on a 3 day course.... Beggars belief!! Poor simba xx unmanageable routines are simply impossible to handle..... Go Get 'em girl.....
xx. moo. Xx
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Post by serrakunda on Mar 3, 2014 9:52:58 GMT
been passed around 4 Council departments this morning, no-one accepting responsiblity, waiting for a call back. I quoted Department for Education guidelines for recommended maximum travel time, she didnt appear to have heard of that particular instituion of state, not helping my stress levels
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Post by donatella on Mar 3, 2014 11:19:04 GMT
Here we have a dedicated SEN transport department with a named person for me to speak to. If they're giving you the run around ask for the chief execs office. Escalate it. It's a ridiculous situation.
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Post by serrakunda on Mar 3, 2014 16:25:43 GMT
So no one has called me back today. I'm really getting cross now
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Post by justbserene11 on Mar 4, 2014 7:58:10 GMT
Sorry this is happening. My nephew gets transported to school and my SIL has had issues in the past. Hoping you get a phone call today xx
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Post by esty (archive) on Mar 4, 2014 8:55:23 GMT
Big Fish has been out of school for 10 weeks now due to a transport dispute. The CC have put it's foot down so now taking legal advice. All I want is an escort who is able to act independently of the driver and read my son's needs before they become a health issue and hospitalization. Not a lot to ask you'd have thought!
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Post by esty (archive) on Mar 4, 2014 8:59:20 GMT
Though on a positive note it has meant me and Big Fish having much needed catch up time together since little brother's placement (almost two years) where we can interact freely without Little Minnow wading in either to stop us or to get me himself. So I've loved that aspect. Also Little Minnow has really shown his maturity and feeling more secure by it not being an issue that Big Fish is home all the time.
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Post by serrakunda on Mar 4, 2014 9:48:25 GMT
First phone call of the day, spoke to the transport bureau manager who seems to be unaware of DfE guidance but says it's only guidance anyway and there not much difference between 45 and 60 minutes is there
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Post by littlemisscheerful on Mar 4, 2014 12:40:11 GMT
That is terrible, especially if it is only a 10 min journey. Try parent partnership - ours deal a lot with transport issues.
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Post by imprudence on Mar 4, 2014 12:55:10 GMT
Feel the need to ask the transport supervisor if he would like to work an extra 15mins at the start and end of each day on the grounds that "there is not much difference is there?"
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Post by serrakunda on Mar 4, 2014 15:55:05 GMT
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Post by donatella on Mar 4, 2014 16:06:04 GMT
How would he like an additional 15 minute commute every day? Each way. Ridiculous man.
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Post by serrakunda on Mar 4, 2014 17:33:00 GMT
Well surprise surprise no phone call, Simba also came home with a note to say head is too busy to speak to me. I'm not impressed with any of them, complaints will be made.
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Post by serrakunda on Mar 5, 2014 9:46:44 GMT
Give me strengh
so having said to me yesterday that she would normally expect first on first off, head of travel bureau now telling me that is the most cost effective route for the taxi company and will not shift, its up to the contractor. Head also sent me a second note last night to say she is too busy to speak to me today. I have sent a snotty email
On to parent partnership. Feel like this is going to drag on and on and on......................
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louie
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Post by louie on Mar 5, 2014 11:29:48 GMT
Serrakunda I really feel for you. Sometimes I truly believe that people think we all make up the needs of our children. I hope common sense prevails eventually.
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Post by serrakunda on Mar 5, 2014 14:37:52 GMT
Head of travel bureau confirmed to me my expectation that it should be 'first on, first off' but a contract has been let and its up to the driver who has to be mindful of 'dead' mileage. I have just submitted a formal complaint to the head of SEN services.
Good thing Ive got an understanding manager, I've barely done a days work this week, but still have to make up the time I've spent on this.
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Post by monkey on Mar 5, 2014 20:22:19 GMT
It sounds like you're doing all the right things. I hope that you get some positivity in the next few days. MMx
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Post by serrakunda on Mar 7, 2014 17:21:50 GMT
Finally heard from the head, via email, can squeeze me into her busy schedule next Tuesday, also chooses to tell me that the email address I used is incorrect , although it's the 'please contact us' one off the school website. I know it's not her decision, but you would have thought a bit of support would be within her reach.
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