School Transport

Dorset School Transport:

Dorset County Council provides free transport for students in Years 7 – 11 to attend their catchment or nearest appropriate school and they live more than 3 miles shortest available walking distance from home to The Gryphon School.  This is run by the School Passenger Transport Department which organises the routes and contract buses. It is possible for other students to apply for a spare seat on a contract bus operated by Dorset School Passenger Transport.  There is an annual charge for spare/unallocated seats.

Contact:  Dorset School Passenger Service on 01305 224537. See also www.dorsetforyou.com where policies and application forms can be downloaded.

Information about disruption to school transport can be found by visiting the Dorset County Council website: https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/school-transport/school-transport-updates

For Dorset School Buses to Sherborne  – daily information click here

Somerset School Transport:

Somerset County Council funds the cost of school transport for some students who live in areas of the county where The Gryphon School is their nearest secondary school. More information can be found at http://www.somerset.gov.uk/education-learning-and-schools/school-transport/apply-for-school-transport/

From Sept 2016 the majority of students in Years 7-11 who live in the Milborne Port Area and receive free school transport provided by Somerset County Council (SCC) will no longer travel on Gryphon buses as SCC will be providing their own buses.  More information will be sent out by SCC over the next few weeks and bus passes will be available for collection at school during September.  If you need any further information please contact the school Bursary on 01935 811073 as we have details of which children will be travelling on the new SCC routes.

The Gryphon School buses:

Applications for Gryphon School transport 2018/19

• Students in Years 7 – 11, who live within the catchment area of the school, may be entitled to receive free school transport – see above.
• Enquiries and applications for this should be made as follows:
  •  Students who live in Dorset – Contact Dorset County Council School Transport Team on 01305 224537.
  • Students who live in Somerset – Contact  Somerset School Passenger Transport Service on 0300 123 2224.
  •  In addition, The Gryphon School privately contracts a fleet of buses that currently pick students up from a wide variety of locations including: Yeovil , Castle Cary, Galhampton, South Cadbury, Sparkford, Queen Camel, Marston Magna, Wincanton, Templecombe, Henstridge, Milborne Port , Sturminster Newton, Hazelbury Bryan, Kings Stag, and Stalbridge
  • Students who travel on Gryphon School operated buses will be required to pay for their bus seat. The cost of a pass for the academic year 2018/19 is £950

Sixth Form

Students are not entitled to receive free transport to school when they join the Sixth Form. However, to help support Sixth Form students to get here, The Gryphon School contracts transport operating from a variety of locations. In addition, limited numbers of surplus seats are available on routes operated by South West Coaches on behalf of Dorset County Council.

The application process for school bus places, including important deadlines, is as follows:

·         Services/routes run by South West Coaches are detailed on the South West Coaches website – http://www.southwestcoaches.co.uk/school-services . Applications for seats on these routes from Sixth form students must be made via South West Coaches, Surplus Seat Applications, 11 Oak Way, Lufton Business Park, Yeovil, BA22 8HS. These seats are offered on a limited and strictly first-come first-served basis.

·         New contracts for Gryphon School routes will awarded shortly. The application process for seats on Gryphon School run buses will be opened on 4th June 2018 Sixth Form students will be given a two week period of priority to apply, after which the application process will be open to the whole school.  Any queries about this should be directed to the school bursary: Finance@gryphon.dorset.sch.uk

Years 7 -11

Application forms for the 2018/19 academic year will be available on the school website from Tuesday 19th June 2018.
Priority for seats will be given to Sixth Form students until Monday 18th June 2018, after which places will be offered on a first come first served basis. Application forms should be downloaded from WisePay and returned to the Bursary by email finance@gryphon.dorset.sch.uk or by post. Deposits should be paid via WisePay – if you require a reminder of your WisePay login please contact the bursary by telephoning 01935 811073 or emailing finance@gryphon.dorset.sch.uk
Students joining Year 7 will find WisePay information and logins in their induction pack.
Bus Letter 2018-19Download

Question: What do I do if I miss my bus home?
Answer: Go to reception and ask if you can contact your parents.

Cars:
Some availability for student car and motorbike parking, with a permit, exists on site. Parents who bring their children to and collect them from school by car must stop in the allocated drop off bays.

Bicycles:
The school has bike racks for security, although students will need to bring their own lock.

Walking:
The school has its own designated crossing patrol and students should choose this route when walking to school.