General information
A transport service is provided between Heathrow Airport and Blundell’s at the start and end of each term and half term break. We do not provide transport at the start or end of Exeat weekends or to and from any other UK departure point.
The transport service from Heathrow Airport to Blundell’s at the start of the Autumn Term is not offered to new international pupils on this one occasion only as they are required to attend the Induction Day on the day before the term starts and our coach transport will not get them to school in time to take part. It is available on all other occasions as specified during the academic year.
It is the responsibility of the pupils’ parents and guardians to book flights, taxis, trains or other forms of transport on arrival in, or departure from, the UK except as stated above.
We do not provide an escort service for unaccompanied minors on an outward or return journey. If assistance is required under an unaccompanied minor programme, an escort to their check-in area /terminal or an escort from their arrival’s hall to the minibus departure point, this is the responsibility of the parents and guardian. Even if your child’s age means they are considered an adult by the airline they are flying with, you should be aware that regulations will differ from country to country on arrival. This means for example, that if a child aged 12 travels to the UK on an airline that considers them to be an adult, they will not be allowed to leave UK immigration by officials unless a responsible adult is there to meet them.
Full details of a pupil’s travel to and from the UK are to be supplied to the school via the i-gtm travel system which is available to parents and guardians for the whole of the academic year. Pupils’ travel details must be entered by their parents or guardian and full details on how to access the system will be supplied before the start of the term in which a pupil joins us. Any queries should be emailed to the Second Master’s PA, Mrs Sarah Cox using secondmaster@blundells.org as Mrs Cox maintains the travel record in accordance with the legal requirements of UK Visa and Immigration. All travel information is also passed to the pupils’ House Parents.
Pupils not using the school’s transport to return to school, may not arrive until 5:00pm as the boarding houses will not be open until this time. If this could be an issue, please contact their House Parent in advance of their return. Pupils may not arrive after 10:00pm as the House is locked at this time. Arrangements will need to be made for the pupil to stay elsewhere that night and travel to school on the following day.
The school transport is provided solely for the use of the pupils of Blundell’s School. For reasons of space and safeguarding, it is not possible to accommodate parents or guardians on the buses.
Departure from the UK
A coach service to Heathrow Airport will depart from the school on the morning of the final day of each first half of term and on the last day of term.
The coach leaves school at 7:30am and is scheduled to arrive at Heathrow Airport between 11:00am and 11:30am, depending on traffic conditions. We recommend that parents and guardians take this into consideration when booking tickets; flights that depart at 1:30pm or later are advisable. The school is not responsible for flights missed due to circumstances beyond our control.
The coach goes direct to the airport and does not stop on route. The charge for this service is built into the termly fee for international pupils.
Pupils are dropped off at Departures at Terminal 2 and make their own way to their check-in area or Terminal if not flying from Terminal 2. When pupils use the coach service to Heathrow Airport, the school’s legal responsibility for the pupils ends when they step off the coach.
The service must be booked in advance of departure and the deadline is 10 days before the date of travel.
Arrival in the UK
A collection service is provided on specified dates at the start of the Autumn Term, Spring Term and Summer Term plus at the start of the second half of each term.
The service operates from Heathrow Airport only and must be booked at least 10 days in advance of the specified date for the pupils’ return. Bookings will close at this time. Due to the popularity of the service, we cannot guarantee that there will be a place for everyone who would like one.
In the event of significant delays or missed connections, your child’s guardian will be expected to assist you in making alternative arrangements for your child to reach Blundell’s should the transport have to depart before they arrive - it is not the school’s responsibility to do so. Whilst we endeavour to avoid such a situation, in the event of lengthy delays it may be unavoidable.
When using the transport service from Heathrow Airport to Blundell’s, the school’s legal responsibility for pupils begins when they meet the staff escort at the coach departure point.
Bookings will only be accepted for flights that land at least two hours before the coach departure time - the airport authorities will not allow the coach to wait past its scheduled time to leave.
Departures are planned for 11:30am and 6:30pm.
Some pupils may have a relatively lengthy wait between their flight arrival and the coach’s departure. Should parents wish to book a taxi instead, we can provide a list of firms used by the school. Whilst these should not be taken as recommendations, these firms will supply drivers that have the required up to date authorisation from the Disclosure and Barring Service and are experienced in transporting unaccompanied children.
All pupils are expected to make their way to the departure point at Terminal 2. We are unable to collect pupils from other terminals due to the restrictions imposed by the airport on those collecting groups of passengers. Pupils will be accompanied on the transport by a member of school staff.
Full details of the collection procedure and departure of the minibuses will be emailed to pupils, parents and guardians at least one week before pupils are due to arrive.
What to do if there is a problem on the day
Should an issue arise on the day (a missed connection or delay, for example), pupils and/or parents should initially contact the staff member acting as the escort for the journey. The telephone number will be made available with the final information shortly beforehand. Other numbers that may prove useful will also be made available at this time.