SAFEMark is given to those schools which make a commitment to improve safety and the behaviour of pupils on school and regular bus services. Metro's SAFEMark team runs the scheme in partnership with local bus operating companies and West Yorkshire Police.

"I'm delighted that Todmorden has gained this award," said Metro's Calderdale Spokesman Councillor Geoff Wainwright.

"Metro's SAFEMark scheme rewards secondary schools for taking public transport seriously by making a commitment to improve safety and the behaviour of pupils on school and regular bus services. This award demonstrates Todmorden's dedication to forging links with the local community and also serves as a good example of what can be achieved through a partnership approach."

Receiving the award for Todmorden High School, Deputy Headteacher John Botterill said: "We are delighted to receive this award by Metro, the drive to reach the Award standard has come from the pupils themselves. Since signing up to the scheme, pupils have improved on their already good behaviour, and the Award is a just recognition of that. The service is very much appreciated by our pupils and their families and we are very proud to receive this Award and look forward to continuing our work with Metro in promoting the SAFEMark scheme."

Todmorden School reached the required standard for the award by:

- actively promoting SAFEMark through parents' evenings and the school's web site;

- nominating on-bus pupils to monitor the scheme

- producing a handbook to make sure all school staff know who to contact and what to do;

- regularly liaising with service operators, First, on any incidents.

SAFEMark is one element of Metro's drive to improve public transport and cut road congestion across West Yorkshire. The school run is currently responsible for 1 in 5 cars on the road at peak times and Metro is reducing that figure through schemes such as SAFEMark and My bus yellow buses, which encourage pupils and parents to choose public transport for the home-to-school journey.

Related Items

• The SAFEmark award scheme