UK contact office: 25 Southampton Buildings, London WC2A 1AL. Routine enquiries: guardian@intergreat.com.
Introduction and Overview
This policy aims to establish optimal transportation practices for students, prioritising the safety and well-being of all individuals while considering travel restrictions and general safeguarding requirements. InterGreat Education Group will proactively monitor and mitigate potential travel risks, ensuring that staff, students, host families, and other partners are well-informed.
International Travel Before the Flight
In accordance with government guidance, InterGreat Education Group recommends that students ensure:
- They complete the short checklist before leaving their home to travel to the airport.
- Check FCO Travel Advice and detailed health advice about travel to the UK.
- Ensure you have relevant Travel Insurance.
- Students should work with their Student Liaison Officer to ensure all elements of the administrative tasks are completed.
Arrival to the UK
Students will need to present their onward travel form along with standard travel documentation. Upon leaving the arrival area, students should proceed directly to their pre-arranged airport transfer, which should be facilitated solely through InterGreat Education Group or the school to ensure compliance with relevant guidelines and company policies. Should a student encounter difficulties in locating the driver, they should promptly contact the Student Liaison Officer, who will swiftly resolve the issue.
Travelling via public transport upon arrival in the UK is not advisable due to the amount of luggage students are likely to have. It is highly recommended that students pre-arrange airport travel through InterGreat Education Group to secure the best possible price and ensure compliance with safeguarding requirements.
For taxi travel arranged by InterGreat Education Group, all taxi companies working with the group must be registered with the local authority/council, and drivers are required to undergo enhanced DBS checks to ensure student safety during taxi travel and to verify the safety of the vehicle used for transportation.
Following UK Government guidance, it is not mandatory to provide car seats for students when travelling by taxi. However, should students meet the standard requirements for car seats or booster seats, InterGreat Education Group advises acquiring and travelling with seats wherever feasible.
Travel provided by the Host Family
When a host family offers transportation for students, it is crucial that they:
- Possess a valid driving licence;
- Provide car insurance details to InterGreat Education Group;
- Notify their insurance provider regarding transporting students as appropriate;
- Ensure that students in need of car seats or booster seats have access to them and that they are securely installed (Reference: Child car seats: the law: Using a child car seat or booster seat - GOV.UK).
- When a host is responsible for student transportation, it is advisable that the student sits in the back as a safety measure in case of emergencies, and to adhere to safeguarding guidelines, particularly in one-to-one transport situations.
- In the event that the host is unable to provide transportation due to illness, unforeseen circumstances, or mechanical issues, they should promptly notify InterGreat Education Group to allow for alternative arrangements.
Transport to and from Accommodation
Taxi drivers will only be engaged if they or their affiliated transport company have provided the required supporting documents. Whenever feasible, InterGreat Education Group will proactively inform the student and parent about the driver's details in advance to facilitate a seamless journey.
AEGIS travel controls
IEG will keep a complete record of travel arranged for a student, including the date, time, mode of transport, driver or provider and the parties to whom the arrangements were communicated. Appropriate parental and school permissions must be in place. Where a local licensed taxi company is used, IEG will obtain written confirmation that suitable checks, including enhanced DBS checks where required by AEGIS, have been completed for drivers who will have direct and largely unsupervised contact with students. Child-seat, booster-seat and seat-belt requirements must be followed. Students under 18 should carry an appropriate permission-to-travel letter where relevant.