Private cars & parking
The school car park has very limited parking space and congestion can be severe. Parents are therefore requested to use buses or share cars if at all possible. For more information on car sharing contact Sandrine Philippot-Gasc via School Reception.
Parents with children in only Nursery or Primary are asked to leave promptly so that Secondary pupils can be collected more easily.
Pupils should be dropped off either in the car park in Thame Lane or in the "drop and go" area, and not on the A415.
In order to ensure children are safe and minimize congestion, observe the following:
- the lane closest to the Sports Hall is for buses only. The next lane is for moving traffic: Drivers should never stop there.
- to drive slowly in Thame Lane (preferably at 20mph).
- not to park in Thame Lane.
- Drop & Go: The two lanes closest to the grass are the Drop and Go lanes. Stay in your car. Do not leave your car unattended.
- Please take extra care driving down Thame Lane and in the "Drop and Go area".
- Remember: the lane closest to the Sports Hall is for buses only. The next lane is for moving traffic: The two lanes closest to the grass are the Drop and Go lanes. Please stay in your car and do not leave your car unattended.
Car share
In addition, CESPA has been donated a subscription to School-run.org, a website dedicated to help parents set up their own car-shares on the web. It is restricted to the European School, easy to use, free and completely confidential (every applicant is checked by the school secretary). We strongly encourage parents to register on-line through the school-run main web page. Identify the European School Culham and proceed o register.
Buses organised by parents
BLOC BUS LINK OXFORD–CULHAM
Please note: Bus 1 and 2 are fully booked for January 2010 and operate a waiting list system. There are still very few places on bus 3.
BLOC is a co-operative of parents who use the three buses which run from Oxford to the European School each day. We use a small family owned bus company called “Charlton Services”. They are reliable and the drivers are good with the children. The company has proven to be good value for money.
Each bus has an organiser who liaises with the parents and collects fees.
The current organisers are :
BUS 1 : (North Oxford) NADIA POLLINI pollini.nadia@googlemail.com
BUS 2 : (East Oxford) PAULA LOPEZ blocbus2@googlemail.com
BUS 3 : (West Oxford) GHISLAINE YVER ghislaineyver@hotmail.co.uk
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need information or would like to book a seat.
FARES
Fees are calculated per term. They are calculated by dividing the total cost of all three buses by the number of users. Invoices are sent out at the beginning of each term. By confirming your place(s) on the bus you commit for the term and to settle the fees promptly. For two or more children it is possible to pay in instalments provided this has been agreed with the organiser.
Bus passes are not issued, but regular checks are carried out by the organisers to ensure that only entitled users take the bus. The system is based on trust, and parents of unauthorised users will be contacted immediately.
CAN WE USE ALL THE BUSES ?
Payment of fees entitles users to a seat on the bus that they have requested. It also lets you use the Wednesday and Friday lunchtime services – please let us know if you intend to use these.
BUS ROUTES, STOPS AND TIMETABLES
Current bus routes and stops have been negotiated with the bus company with a view to cover as large an area as possible and at the same time ensuring that the journey duration is not too long. It is not possible to change routes. However parents may apply for an additional bus stop if three or more children will use it. Outcomes will depend on feasibility and agreement with company.
Drivers will endeavour to respect the timetables issued, however please note that times are approximate as there may be delays due to traffic conditions. Please arrive at the bus stop a few minutes early in the mornings and afternoons if collecting your children.
SAFETY AND SUPERVISION ON THE BUSES
There is no adult supervision on any of the buses. We would recommend that children (particularly younger or new users) carry a card with their name, address, bus stop and an emergency contact number.
All children must read and sign the Code of Conduct and are expected to behave accordingly. Children who break the rules may be banned from the buses.
Parents should remind their children to wear their seatbelts and stay in their seats during the entire duration of the journey. Drivers cannot conduct checks.
GUESTS AND EXCHANGE STUDENTS
Users are not entitled to take guests on the buses without prior agreement from the organisers. Permission will depend on seat availability. In the same way exchange students are not entitled to a place on the buses without permission from the organisers as again this depends on seat availability.
NURSERY AND PRIMARY CHILDREN
Parents of nursery and young primary children as well as new users need to inform their children’s class teachers at the beginning of each school year that their children are bus users and which bus they are on so they can be escorted to the bus bay at the end of each day. BLOC’s organisers are not responsible for this.
TIMETABLES 2009-2010
| Bus No 1 – North Oxford |
|
|
|
| Bus stop |
AM ▼ |
PM ▲ |
Wed.
lunch▲
|
| 1. St Giles - Taylorian Institute |
7:20 |
16:35 |
13.35 |
| 2. Banbury Rd - Park Town |
7:22 |
16:33 |
13.33 |
| 3. Banbury Rd – Lathbury Rd |
7.24 |
16:31 |
13.31 |
| 4. Banbury Rd – Costa Cafe |
7:25 |
16:30 |
13.30 |
| 5. Banbury Rd - BBC Radio Oxford |
7.26 |
16:29 |
13.29 |
| 6. Davenant Rd |
7:28 |
16:25 |
13.15 |
| 7. Woodstock Rd |
7:30 |
16:22 |
13.12 |
| 8. Pear Tree Park and Ride |
7:32 |
16.20 |
13.10 |
| 9. (Abingdon - Boundary House) |
7:40 |
16:00 |
|
| 10. European School |
8:00 |
15:50 |
12.40 |
No class on Wednesday afternoons for:
Nursery 1 & 2
Primary 1 & 2
Secondary 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
| Bus No 2 - East Oxford |
|
|
|
| Bus stop |
AM ▼ |
PM ▲ |
Wed.
lunch▲
|
| 1. London Road - Green Road Roundabout |
7.06 |
16.31 |
13.22 |
| 2. (Gladstone Road) |
7.08 |
16.30 |
13.20 |
| 3. London Road - Windmill Road |
7.10 |
16.29 |
13.18 |
| 4. Old Road - Windmill Road |
7.11 |
16.27 |
13.17 |
| 5. Morrell Avenue – Halfway down hill |
7.15 |
16.25 |
13.15 |
| 6. Morrell Avenue – St Clemens |
7.17 |
16.22 |
13.13 |
| 7. Iffley Road – James Street |
7.19 |
16.19 |
13.09 |
| 8. Iffley Road – Magdalen Road |
7.21 |
16.17 |
13.07 |
| 9. Henley Avenue – Iffley Turn |
7.24 |
16.15 |
13.05 |
| 10. Between Towns Road – Nelson pub/ Templar's square shopping centre |
7.27 |
16.13 |
13.03 |
| 11. Barns Road – before bridge |
7.29 |
|
|
| 11a.* Barns Road – Bartholomew Road |
|
16.10 |
13.00 |
| 12. Littlemore - Sandford Road near Mandelbroke Drive |
7.34 |
16.08 |
12.58 |
| 13. Nuneham Courtenay |
7.38 |
16.03 |
12.53 |
| 14. European School |
8.00 |
15.50 |
12.40 |
* - afternoon bus route slightly different from morning route
No class on Wednesday afternoons for:
Nursery 1 & 2
Primary 1 & 2
Secondary 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
| Bus No 3 - West Oxford |
|
|
|
| Bus stop |
AM ▼ |
PM ▲ |
Wed.
lunch▲
|
| Abingdon Road - Wytham Street |
7.13 |
16.30 |
13.20 |
| Abingdon Road - Hinksey Road |
7.14 |
16.28 |
13.18 |
| Abingdon Road - Whitehouse Rd |
7.16 |
16.27 |
13.17 |
| Botley Road - Osney Island |
7.21 |
16.18 |
13.08 |
| Botley Road - Harley Rd/MFI |
7.23 |
16.17 |
13.07 |
| West Way - Seacourt Bridge Pub |
7.25 |
16.15 |
13.05 |
| Cumnor Hill - Hurst Rise Rd |
7.27 |
16.14 |
13.04 |
| Cumnor Hill - Arnolds Way |
7.29 |
16.12 |
13.02 |
| Cumnor Hill - Hids Copse Rd |
7.31 |
16.10 |
13.00 |
| Cumnor Hill - Chawley Lane |
7.33 |
16.09 |
12.59 |
| Wootton - Bystander Pub |
7.35 |
16.06 |
12.56 |
| Abingdon - Abingdon College |
7.40 |
16.04 |
12.54 |
| Abingdon - John Mason School |
7.41 |
16.03 |
12.53 |
| Culham - European School |
8.05 |
15.50 |
12.40 |
No class on Wednesday afternoons for:
Nursery 1 & 2
Primary 1 & 2
Secondary 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
| Oxford lunch-time Bus (Fridays) |
|
| Bus stop |
PM ▼ |
| 1. European School |
12:40 |
| 2. Nuneham Courtenay |
12:50 |
| 3. Littlemore - Hospital |
12:55 |
| 4. Iffley turn |
13:00 |
| 5. Abingdon Rd |
13:05 |
| 6. Westminster Way - Botley |
13:12 |
| 7. Botley Road – Bridge Street |
13:17 |
| 8. St Giles - Taylorian Institute |
13:25 |
| 9. Banbury Rd - Park Town |
13:28 |
| 10. Banbury Rd – Moreton Road |
13:30 |
| 11. Banbury Rd - BBC Radio Oxford |
13:32 |
| 12. Davenant Rd |
13:35 |
| 13. Pear and Tree Park and Ride |
13:40 |
No class on Friday afternoons for:
Nursery 1 & 2
Primary 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
Secondary 1
READING-Culham-READING BUS: (click here for times)
Wallingford Abingdon Bus Service to the European School, Culham
by John Wood of Oxfordshire County Council
Contact:Christiane Ivic (christiane.ivic@ecmwf.int) or by postECMWFBerkshireRG2 9AX
|
Morning
|
Stop |
Afternoon |
| 645 |
ECMWF |
1715 |
| 650 |
Alexandra Road |
1705 |
| 657 |
Reading Station |
1655 |
| 705 |
Oxford Road |
1646 |
| 710 |
Purley |
1641 |
| 726 |
Streatley 1 |
1630 |
| 728 |
Streatley 2 |
|
| 735 |
Blewbury |
1621 |
| 740 |
East Hagbourne |
1616 |
| 743 |
Didcot 1 |
1613 |
| 744 |
Didcot 2 |
1612 |
| 746 |
Didcot 3 |
1610 |
| 810 |
School |
1555
|
Additional stops along the route can be arranged as necessary.
Please contact me for further information. We still have a few places available for 2008/9.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THESE TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE – do not wait until the last minute to turn up for the bus in ths morning! Also – when there are road works the bus may be delayed – you may need to make alternative arrangements if there are road works affecting the bus when your children have examinations!
Cycling to school
Cyclists should use the cycle path by the A415 and use the entrance by the Chapel. Cycling through school premises is not allowed. Bicycles should be left in the cycle racks provided near the Drop and Go.
Helmets should be worn and cyclists should take appropriate care as both the A415 and surrounding roads are extremely busy.
Public Transport
Thames Travel X15 runs from Wallingford – Berinsfield – Abingdon - Witney through villages along the A415. Families should be aware that buses may run very close together in the afternoon. One terminates at Berinsfield. Another continues to Wallingford. If in doubt children should ask the driver before boarding the bus.
Thames Travel also now runs the X32 Bus from Abindon to Culham and also from Wantage via Harwell - Didcot to Culham. The times are not really suitable from Wantage yet, but we are in discussion with the company to possibly adjust the times to suit our needs.
Also, any S1-S7 pupils travelling during the school day from Culham to Wallingford or from Wallingford to Culham may have to change at the Berinsfield interchange. Families are strongly advised to read the timetable carefully. Contact Thames Travel for the latest information Tel: 01491 837988 or e-mail office@thames-travel.co.uk
Bus passes can be purchased from Thames Travel (01491 837 988)
Click below for the time table: http://www.thames-travel.co.uk/busx15/busx15.htm
|
Morning
|
Stop |
Afternoon |
| 645 |
ECMWF |
1715 |
| 650 |
Alexandra Road |
1705 |
| 657 |
Reading Station |
1655 |
| 705 |
Oxford Road |
1646 |
| 710 |
Purley |
1641 |
| 726 |
Streatley 1 |
1630 |
| 728 |
Streatley 2 |
|
| 735 |
Blewbury |
1621 |
| 740 |
East Hagbourne |
1616 |
| 743 |
Didcot 1 |
1613 |
| 744 |
Didcot 2 |
1612 |
| 746 |
Didcot 3 |
1610 |
| 810 |
School |
1555 |
I write to advise you of forthcoming changes to the bus services that pass the European School, Culham, and which are used by some students to travel to/from the School. This is a result of a regular review of those bus services that are supported financially by the County Council, which we undertake every four years. New contracts have been awarded for the bus services in your area that will commence on Monday 2nd of June 2008 and run until June 2012.
The main changes to the bus service from 2 June 2008 will be:Current route 140 (Wallingford - Abingdon) is renumbered 114 and runs at peak times.Off peak buses will be numbered 116 and operate Abingdon - European School - Berinsfield - Oxford City. Togehter these two routes will provide broadly an hourly service in each direction throughtout the daytime Mondays to Saturdays.
Crucial bus times for European School:
Mondays to Friday, times from 2 June 2008:
Bus 114 from Wallingford to Abingdon arrives at European School at 07.49
Bus 114 from Abingdon to Wallingford arrives at European School at 07.54
Bus 114 from the European School towards Wallingford leaves at 15.54
Bus 116 from the European School towards Abingdon leaves at 15.56A full time table for this service is available from reception.
