On the afternoon of April 28, an incident involving a school pupil occurred aboard a double-decker bus in Derby. The bus was transporting students from St Benedict Catholic Academy in Darley Abbey back to their homes in Allenton, when a boy fell from the top deck through a window while the bus was in motion on Osmaston Road. Following the fall, the pupil was taken to a hospital where he was treated for "significant injuries." Fortunately, he has since been discharged.
Hazel Boyce, the head teacher at St Benedict Catholic Academy, confirmed the incident in comments to Derbyshire Live, stating, "We are aware of an incident on a school bus on Monday. The pupil involved was taken to hospital, treated and has now been discharged." She outlined the circumstances leading to the incident, indicating that disruptive behaviour among several students, including jumping around and running up and down the aisle, was a contributing factor. Ms Boyce remarked, "This came about after many pupils were out of their seats, running up and down the aisle of the bus and jumping on one another."
The head teacher further explained that the window on the top deck had been pushed out of the bus, resulting in the incident. In a letter sent to parents, she reiterated the school’s expectations regarding student behaviour on school transport, stating, "We expect those who make use of this service to conduct themselves in a safe, respectable and courteous way." She acknowledged the reports of other troubling behaviours on the bus, which included shouting, fighting, and instances of vaping, all noted by parents, drivers, and members of the public.
In response to the situation, Notts and Derby Buses, the operator of the school bus service, has committed to reviewing CCTV footage after each journey and will report any incidents of misbehaviour to the school on a daily basis. Stuart Frost, a manager at Notts and Derby, stated, "We are aware that there has been an investigation carried out by the school."
Ms Boyce concluded her communication with parents by highlighting potential consequences for students who continue to engage in inappropriate behaviour, which could include detention or possible temporary bans from bus usage. She expressed gratitude for the understanding and support demonstrated by parents during this incident.
Source: Noah Wire Services