Transport

Once a student progresses into Post 16 Education, they are not automatically awarded a seat on a school bus.  Post 16 seats are NOT funded by county and have to be applied for and paid for. 

If you live in Dorset and your son/daughter previously travelled to school using Vale Coaches, you will receive a letter directly from Vale re travel arrangements however please contact them directly advising them that your son/daughter requires a seat at the start of the next academic school year to ensure your place.

Phone: 01963 363000.

Address: Unit 2 Gibbs Marsh Trading Estate, Stalbridge. Dorset DT10 2RY.

The cost of the pass will be around £800 payable in 2 instalments, an initial payment one further payment in October.

If you live in Somerset and previously travelled with Vale Coaches please contact Vale directly on the number above, Vale may advise you to contact Somerset Council at www.somerset.gov.uk and complete the form to “Request school transport on a paying basis”. 

If you live Blandford/Durweston/Shillingstone/Okeford Fitzpaine/Child Okeford/Manston transport to school is via the public bus network: First Bus X10 route. A weekly pass can be purchased via First Bus Mobile Phone App or directly on the bus. Region: Somerset (strangely this is not a typo! I’m guessing it’s because it is the Yeovil bus) Weekly ‘Somerset’ Ticket Age 5-16 £14, 16+ ‘Adult’ £25.

We are aware the cost of Post 16 transport can be a major issue for some families. The Post 16 Bursary may be available to you to assist with these costs and, although the applications cannot be processed until the student is actually attending the sixth form, we are more than happy for you to send an application into school as soon as you wish, enabling us to assess it and to advise you of a preliminary outcome. 

For more information

Further guidance about the bursary can be found on the school website www.mysnhs.net together with an application form. Click on Sixth Form Bursary and Sixth Form application form.

If you have any questions please contact Mrs H Privett in the Sixth Form Office or via email SNHSSixthForm@mysnhs.net

Transport between sites


Both school sites operates a free transport service between each school. All buses will leave promptly and it is the students responsibility to make sure that they are at the bus stop at the correct time. If you miss the bus you may have to pay the cost of a taxi journey or arrange for your parents to collect you in order to get home.

Buses depart from Sturminster Newton High School main school car park and from Shaftesbury School bus park (near A block).

Travelling days are currently Tuesday and Thursday

Depart for Period 1 & 2

Depart SNHS 08:35 arrive Shaftesbury 08.55 (lesson starts 09.00)

Return from Shaftesbury 10.50

Depart for Period 3 & 4

Depart SNHS 10.55 arrive Shaftesbury 11.15 (lesson starts 11.10)

Return from Shaftesbury 13.35

If the bus is not there please wait, do not just go!!


If the bus does not arrive after five minutes, or if you miss the bus for any reason please go to reception and ask them to contact the Sixth Form Office.

If you are waiting for the bus at Shaftesbury you could phone Reception on 01747 854498.

If you need to catch a bus you do not normally use, check with the Sixth Form Office beforehand to ensure there is a seat on the bus for you.

If there are problems, please let the Sixth Form Office know.

There are study areas at both schools where you can work. Payment cards will work at the canteen at the other school.

It is important that you sign in and out when you arrive and leave both schools. Although you are registered at your lesson, if there was a fire this information would not be available and there would be no record that you were on the school site.