School Transport

Our school draws children from a wide area and this includes students who live inside and outside our designated catchment area.

Free Catchment School Transport

Staffordshire County Council will provide free school transport to our school for children who meet their criteria:

• They live in Staffordshire
• They are in Years 7-11
• They live beyond walking distance from the school where they are registered – this means more than 3 miles.
• They live in the catchment area, or are at the nearest suitable school with places available

Full guidance on Staffordshire County Council’s transport provision – including regulations, timetables, SEND and vacant seat options – can be accessed here.

These buses are not ‘school’ buses – rather they are run solely by Staffordshire County Council and the contracted travel provider so we as a school has no direct control over their operation. We are happy to champion any student’s cause should there be issues, but we have no more authority than any parent making contact over a concern.

Public Transport

Elsewhere, there are also public buses that drop off and pick up on the school site and transport children to locations outside of catchment

These bus routes are not free but can be accessed more cheaply through purchasing a long-term bus pass.

Midland Classic – Handsacre, Brerton & Rugeley

AM – Midland Classic – 829:

PM – Midland Classic – 829:

Chase Rider- Handsacre, Brerton & Rugeley

AM – Chaserider – 826 – Stafford to Lichfield Service

The 826 does do the return journey too – and there are pick up points off-site – but it does not pick up on the school site.

PM – Chaserider – 828 – Lichfield to Stafford Service

This service also picks up at The Friary School as 4.32pm for any students attending clubs, homework club in the school library or booster classes.

There are further Midland Classic buses to Hill Ridware, Kings Bromley, Christ Church, Lichfield Bus Station and Trent Valley.

Again, these buses are run solely by the travel provider and they are public buses that simply have the school as one of their stops. We as a school has no direct control over their operation. We are once more happy to support any concerns, though use of this transport is a private arrangement between the transport provider and the family.

Trains

Our school is located 1.5 miles from Lichfield City train station and it is a half-hour walk away down a well-lit road.

Full details on the facilities and services at Lichfield City train station can be access here.

Parent Drop-Offs / Pick Ups

The school site only has only one entry and exit for vehicles and pedestrians and so we would ask that parents drop off and pick up their children from a short distance away from the site.

This is to reduce the risk to children as they arrive as / leave the school site and to allow access to the school buses which transport hundreds of children each day.

We have installed an electronic barrier which closes off the school to all but authorised staff holding a pass at the start band the end of the day. The electronic barrier does have an intercom system for emergencies.

Cycling

The school provides bike racks for students who wish to cycle to school although it is recommended that a lock is used.

All Year 7 children have an opportunity to take a Bikeability course which trains them to cycle safely on our city’s roads.

Walking

The school is set on a busy road in Eastern Avenue (A5192) but there are two traffic-light crossings close to the school entrance which means the school is safe to walk to if children follow the Green Cross Code.

A safe route for walkers or cyclists can be plotted using the map provided here.

Further Information

If you require further information about our transport to school, please contact Karen Dubberley, Office Manager, via office@friaryschool.co.uk.