Ferryhill School Vehicles Guidance

VEHICLES

The school has three vehicles for its own, in-house, transportation needs.

We have:

• Two minibuses: which are 16 seaters plus the driver. Two of those 14 seats are in the front cab.

• A Vauxhall Zafira - technically a 7 seater (Driver, plus 1 in the passenger seat, plus 3 in the mid seats, plus 2 in the rear seats), although the two rear seats are really only suitable for pupils/people of small build if going on longer journeys.

WHO CAN DRIVE?

To self-drive one of the mini buses, you must have a D1 entitlement on your driver’s licence.
The Zafira only requires a driver to hold a valid, full, UK, manual, drivers licence.

HOW TO BOOK

Step One is to check the booking schedule via the button a the bottom of this page; or it can also be viewed through Teams: FS Staffroom – General – Files - Minibus Schedule. The schedule is arranged by week on the bottom tabs, then days reading down the sheet. If you need a vehicle and can see that a slot for it is free*, then:

Step Two, IF THE VEHICLE YOU REQUIRE APPEARS TO BE AVAILABLE, use the button at the bottom of this page to submit a booking request. If you are unable to use the form then please email the Fleet Supervisor (fleet@ferryhill.school) with as many of the following details as possible:

• Dates and times required - make allowance for potential late returns if that is a possibility as it might affect follow on bookings.

• Destination - so we can keep an eye on fuel for longer journeys.

• Whether you are self-driving or require a minibus licenced driver (spare, free, Minibus drivers are very thin on the ground).

• Project Budget – if the use of the vehicle is for a specific school project which has its own funding pot, then it would be prudent to recoup the fuel costs against that project budget.

Ad hoc use and/or emergency use of either a minibuses or the Zafira for short journeys, does not require booking but please check whether a vehicle is not already booked out before taking it. Always log the taking of the keys on the form in reception.

DURING USAGE

Safety Checks: It is the responsibility of each driver to performs a walk-around check before using the vehicle. Each vehicle has a DAILY WALKAROUND SAFETY INSPECTION AND VEHICLE DEFECT REPORT BOOK to guide you through the process. Faults: If any faults are found during the safety checks then please make a note

of the fault in the booklet and also email the Fleet Supervisor with a brief outline of the issue. If a found fault makes the vehicle unusable then please

let the Fleet Supervisor know asap and take another vehicle if possible.

Fuel: Each vehicle is issued with its own fuel card. This can only be used at Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrisons within a 20 mile radius of the School. Essentially that means:

• Sainsbury’s – at Sedgefield, Bishop Auckland Tindale and Arnison Centre

• Tesco – at Newton Aycliffe, Durham Renneys Lane, Bishop Auckland and Stockton Durham Road

• Morrisons – at Bishop Auckland, Darlington and Dalton Park

I will aim to ensure sufficient fuel for any bookings but if you get caught low on fuel outside of the area then please pay for enough fuel out of your own pocket and present the receipt to Finance for reimbursement. Also, please also let the Fleet Supervisor know if you have returned a vehicle low on fuel.

Cleanliness: Each vehicle is kept as clean and pleasant as possible for the next user to find. Please remind pupils not to leave rubbish on the floor but to put it in the black bin bags provided (in the buses only), keep feet off the seats and try not to set light to anything (it has been tried). PLEASE TRY TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN A STATE OF WHICH YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FOUND IT.

Graffiti & Damage: The bus seats are not in good condition but pupils adding their ill-considered scrawling to the already tired seat covers, is not acceptable. If any new graffiti and/or damage is found after returning a vehicle, I will send you pics of it to deal with how you see fit.

Emergency: Each vehicle has a note with the contact number for Durham Bus and Coach, who will arrange recovery and/or advice as required in the event of a breakdown. I will be happy to provide my own mobile number if you feel it would be helpful to have.

If you have any questions on any of the above then please feel very free to drop an email to (fleet@ferryhill.school), or we can call in to see you in your office/classroom to discuss any more complex requests.