Dear Families
It is with sadness and frustration that I am writing this message to all families today. Since the end of the school day on Friday 3rd September we have received numerous telephone calls and emails regarding an incident that happened outside the grounds of the school, whereby, a person in their car was driving recklessly around the school to collect their child from the gates. Not only were they driving at speed, but they were also driving the wrong way around our one-way system. There are 219 pupils in this school, as well as many smaller children from the nursery. It is totally unacceptable, and we have advised those who have contacted us to report such reckless driving to the police. We have also spoken to the police and their advice is to report it as soon as it happens so intelligence can be notified, and they are subsequently caught driving in this manner.
In all our information shared, to families old and new, we specifically set out the systems we have around school and the most sensible and safe way to adhere to them. It is a school, drop off and collection will be busy, but at least have safe regard for all other members of our school be it children or staff.
Please see the information below (taken from the 2021 School Brochure) if you need to refresh yourself on our systems and hope that such reckless driving never happens again.
“BRINGING CHILDREN TO SCHOOL
Would drivers please note that if transporting children to school the school operates a voluntary one-way system from 8.40 – 9.00 a.m. and 3.15 – 3.40 p.m. (subject to change if staggered times are still in place).
Cars entering Beechdale Road are requested to follow a one-way system along Elmdale Road onto Oakdale Road, children can be dropped off and collected on Oakdale Road and then cars continue back along Beechdale Road. Unfortunately, we do have a problem with parking in the vicinity of the school. Many parents now park on Ashdale Road and walk down to meet their children. Please note the requests below are to ensure that your child can enter and leave school safely.
• Do not block driveways to houses or park on pavements when collecting children.
• Observe the “No Unauthorised Vehicles beyond this point” sign, the double yellow and the yellow zigzag lines (“Keep Clear”). There is high risk of a fine for failure to comply even for dropping off.
• Do not bring cars into the school drive and car park – even to turn around. (Unless there are medical reasons).
• Please inform anyone who will be bringing or collecting your child (including taxis) of these rules and one-way system.
• There are now double yellow lines outside the school gates – please do not stop on these, as parking fines have already been issued to some people.”
Thank you in advance and I do hope this will never happen again.
Mr P Dixon
Head Teacher
