Imberhorne School is served by many routes that enable students to travel to and from school, with the majority of students being brought to school by transport funded by West Sussex County Council.
- Students who live near the school are encouraged to walk or make use of the cycle routes around both sites. There are cycle parks on both sites, where students can lock their cycles during the day. We encourage safe cycling to school and helmets are strongly advised.
- Pedestrians have good pathways around the sites. A light operated pedestrian Toucan crossing at Imberhorne Lane is situated near the entrance to the site. Access for Lower School can be gained in Dorset Avenue for pedestrians and cyclists away from the front of the school where the buses and coaches drop off and collect.
- We realise some families do need to travel by car but as agreed with the County Council, the Dorset Avenue pedestrian gate should not be used by Parents dropping/collecting Lower School students by car. Cars should wait at the front of the school in Windmill Lane and students should take care crossing this road which can become busy at the beginning and end of the school day.
Travelling by Bus/Coach
West Sussex County Council fund school transport for students in Years 7-11, who live over 3 miles from the school site to which they attend, and whose address is within the catchment area. Sixth Form students need to contact their designated council to see if they qualify.
Coaches and double decker buses are used to transport students from Sharpthorne, West Hoathly, Crawley Down, Turners Hill and Copthorne.
Students who have an address outside of West Sussex have to apply to their own local authority. Therefore, students who live in Smallfield, Lingfield and Horley need to contact Surrey County Council. Please be aware it is at the Council’s discretion to allocate assisted or free transport.
A small number of students with special circumstances are brought to school by taxi; the local authority allocate these services.
Imberhorne School and West Sussex Council expect all students to behave in a safe and appropriate manner travelling to and from school. Students are representing the school and the school’s Behaviour policy extends to school transport.
- Students are to respect the vehicles and drivers and be courteous and polite to all members of the public and other bus users travelling on the service.
- All students should be in a seat where available; students are reminded that passengers are entitled to use of all of the seats, and they should not be used for bag storage.
What to do if things go wrong
If the bus or coach does not arrive in the morning, students are required to either inform their parents/carers or to contact school. Replacement transport is sent to the affected route where possible.
However, if due to the cold weather conditions, students are left waiting for their bus or coach for more than 30 minutes they should go back home and again and contact parents/carers who are expected to advise the school that they are aware their son/daughter is at home.
On most occasions a service will be replaced and the alternative will collect students accordingly. If the bus/coach is late in the afternoon students are told to contact home via their own mobile phones or they can use the school office telephone to ensure contact is made with a parent/carer.
If for any reason the school is to be closed due to bad weather i.e. snow, flooding etc. announcements are made via the school website, and social media.