School Transport

Bus pass applications for G800, G801 and G802 are open

Click here to apply for your bus pass now

You will need to submit a separate application for each child.

Please find below information regarding the availability of school transport to The Gryphon School for the academic year 2022/23.

Students in Years 7 – 11 within Catchment

Free transport is provided for pupils in Years 7-11 to attend their catchment or nearest appropriate school if they live between 2 miles (shortest walking) and 6 miles (shortest driven) distance from home to school.

The catchment area of The Gryphon includes Sherborne, Yetminster, Bradford Abbas, Bishop’s Caundle, Buckland Newton, Thornford, Trent and the surrounding Dorset area.

Dorset Council or Somerset County Council are responsible for providing school transport for these students. You can find further information and contact them on the details below.

Dorset Council

Tel: 01305 224537

Email: dt@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Website:  https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/education-and-training/school-transport/school-transport

Somerset County Council

Tel: 0300 123 2224

Email: transport@somerset.gov.uk

Website: www.somerset.gov.uk/education-and-families/school-transport/

The Gryphon is the nearest appropriate school for some Somerset villages and locations, for example Milborne Port and parts of Henstridge by distance. However it is important to check with Dorset or Somerset Admissions to confirm eligibility for free transport. Whilst pupils in these villages are not in the catchment area they may qualify by agreement with Somerset County Council for free transport.

If you are allocated a free transport place from Dorset Council you will automatically be contacted by their School Passenger Transport team before your child starts school. This is usually in June prior to starting. Somerset parents should contact Somerset County Council directly.

Students in Years 7 – 11 Out of Catchment and Students in Years 12 – 13

For pupils not eligible for free transport, parents are responsible for the transport arrangements for the journey to and from school. Please find payable options below;

Dorset Council

‘Surplus Seat’  

It is possible to apply for a surplus seat on a contract bus run by Dorset School Transport, operated by South West Coaches (SWC). Applications can be made direct to SWC on the attached application form. Parents should contact SWC on 01935 475872 or visit www.southwestcoaches.co.uk/school-services for more information.

Whilst SWC  endeavours to offer surplus seats there is no guarantee  these places will be available.

Somerset County Council

‘Paid Seat’

If your child does not qualify for free school transport, SCC may offer spare seats on their contracted transport on a paying basis. The cost of the paid seat currently is £810. SCC will contact all current Year 11 students who receive free transport to inform them of the application process for a paid seat. Current Year 12 students will also have to re-apply for a seat. Further information and to make an application https://www.somerset.gov.uk/education-and-families/request-school-transport-on-a-paying-basis/

Gryphon School Bus Services

We also provide our own contracted bus service to provide transport to out-of-catchment students. There are some changes to our routes from September 2022, with 3 routes run and subsidised by The Gryphon School, covering the areas of Yeovil, Sturminster Newton,  Castle Cary, Galhampton, North Cadbury, Queen Camel, Sparkford, Wincanton and Cheriton.

To make payment for out of catchment buses, a WisePay app can be downloaded to your mobile phone to make logging in to your child’s account easier. Our location code is 76179466

Parents will be required to fill in an online form to apply for a bus pass after 1st July 2022.

Bus stops and timetables are available for download here (routes G800, G801 and G802, updated 19 July 2022).

Gryphon Bus Routes 2022-23Download

Further information on how to apply and our terms and conditions can be found below.

Bus Update Letter 2022/2023Download

The cost of a seat on Gryphon School run buses, for out of catchment student will be £990 for the academic year 2022/2023, payable in full or by twelve instalments.

The school’s current contract for these routes will end August 2022, it is likely that we will re-tender these contracts. Please bear in mind we will make every effort to continue the current routes where financially feasible but cannot guarantee anything past the contract end date. This should be considered when deciding on how your child will get to and from school.

Behaviour

An excellent standard of behaviour is expected on all buses and any student who misbehaves runs the risk of being asked to find alternative transport.

Personal arrangements

Other parents make their own arrangements to bring their child to school, for example by car or taxi. Please bear in mind we have limited parking on site and it is recommended the afternoon pickup is arranged from 3.20pm onwards to ease congestion. Students have full use of the Learning Hub until 4pm. There is limited parking on site for Sixth Form students and car sharing is encouraged where possible.

Bicycles

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