The responsibility for ensuring that children attend school regularly rests with you as parents, but Suffolk Local Authority have a duty to help with the provision of transport if your child lives beyond a certain distance from school.

In carrying out their duty, Suffolk Local Authority may use their own vehicles, private contractors or local bus services.

They provide free transport in accordance with the Education Act, i.e: for children aged eight and under at the beginning of the school year in September, who live two miles or more from their catchment area schools, and for children aged eight and over who live three miles or more from their catchment area schools. Measurement, in all cases, is the shortest route available including footpaths where considered suitable.

Parents whose children are offered a place at a school that they have requested, but which is not their catchment area school, will be expected to make their own arrangements and meet the cost.

To find out more, please contact:

Transportation Department
St. Andrew House,
County Hall,
Ipswich,
Suffolk.
IP4 1LJ
Telephone: 01473 264671

To ensure we safeguard all children, if there is any change to the usual arrangements for collecting your child at the end of the day, it is important you advise your child’s class teacher. 

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Bicycles and Scooters

We encourage pupils who have completed the approved training course (year 6, Bikeability) to make regular use of their bicycles. We have many pupils who arrive by scooter each day. Families will need to work with their own children to ensure there is adult support to negotiate all hazards safely. 

Parents can chose to use the bike and scooters spaces at the front of school. These are not locked during the day and parents do this at their own risk. The road outside of school is often busy.

Dropping off by car

Drop off and collection is always a busy time. West Row Baptist Church and West Row Village Hall kindly allow parents to park thoughtfully before walking to the school site.

We are frequently asked to support with parking beyond the school gates. We encourage all of our families to park considerately. The yellow zig-zag lines outside the academy site, indicate the length of road where stopping or waiting is strictly prohibited. The Highway Code states these areas should be clear of stationary vehicles, even if picking up or setting down children. 

If you have a concern about how people are parking close to the school, please visit this site for more information on how to report it. https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/parking/parking-regulations-and-enforcement