Mount St Mary's Catholic High School in Leeds is the latest recipient of a Metro SAFEMark award for promoting good behaviour on its school buses.

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 Mount St Mary's has gained this award," said Giles Nightingale, Metro's Assistant Director, Corporate Services. "I know how much hard work goes into earning one.

"A SAFEMark award recognises the hard work by the students and also acknowledges the work in planning and commitment by the teachers to the scheme."

Mount St Mary's school SAFEMark co-ordinator, Seamus Daly said: "We are delighted to receive this award from 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."

Mount St Mary's School reached the required standard for the award by:

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

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

- regularly liaising with service operators, First and Geldards 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.

More information about Metro's SAFEMark scheme can be found in the Schools and Colleges section of Metro's web site at www.wymetro.com