Schools: where we go from here
Reporter: Lucy Kenderdine
Date published: 29 March 2013
Lollipop ladies and men, school crossing patrols to be affected by cutbacks.
SCHOOLS that have decided not to have a crossing patrol or have been unable to afford to pay for one under the new scheme have been investigating other alternative measures they can take to ensure the safety of pupils.
Cath How, head teacher at East Crompton St George’s Primary School, explained how they would be dealing without the crossing patrol service they previously shared with Buckstones Primary.
She said: “We did some research into the crossing patrol, examining who was using the service and we found that children always had a parent or guardian with them. No child was crossing the road alone.
“We also spoke to the families who used the crossing to express our concerns and they were in agreement with our decision not to fund the patrol due to budget constraints.
“They trust the school to make the correct decision and they understand that we will be monitoring the situation and increasing our road safety training with the children in the school as a result.”
Culture
Mrs How continued: “The social culture now is that children of primary school age don’t walk to school on their own.”
Royton Hall Primary School will also be unable to fund a crossing patrol and will instead continue to promote road safety in their lessons.
Head teacher Jane Wilson said: “In our newsletter to parents we explained our decision.
“Our governors had to make difficult decisions to create a balanced budget which gives the best education and learning for the children.”
Helen Hampson, head teacher at Higher Failsworth Primary School, said staff at the school sympathised with the views of parents.
She said: “The school has not received any additional funds to pay towards the school crossing patrol and £5-6000 is a large sum to find from an already stretched budget.
“We support the parents’ views that the council should provide this service.”
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