Axe Valley Community College students show their community spirit as a new scheme is rolled out.

AXE Valley Community College has introduced an innovative new scheme to improve safety and security for students using buses to travel to school.

Year 11 students, who use the bus services, are being given the role of bus monitors, which will be developed over time to ensure the students have training in road safety, first aid and supporting younger students.

Bus Monitors will act as a point of contact for members of the public on the public bus services that some students use.

Headteacher Martin Smith said: “It is vitally important to us that our students feel safe and supported.

“While the bus journey to and from college is an exciting part of the secondary school experience, for some of our newest and younger students they may feel daunted at times by using the bus service.

“Sometimes buses are late; occasionally buses break down. In events like this we want to make sure that students have someone who could reassure and support them.”

The scheme is the initiative of TAVCC and has been organised by student support manager Pam Tollett.

PC Hayley Taylor, the local youth intervention officer and Nichola Feesey of Devon County Council’s transport team have both supported the new initiative.

PC Taylor provided initial training for twenty six new bus monitors.