Brockenhurst Primary School appeals to parish council for help to fund £6,000 crossing patrol

THE head teacher of Brockenhurst Primary School has appealed for help to fund a crossing patrol ahead of a £6,000 annual charity sponsorship coming to an end.

John Littlewood, who also oversees the preschool at the Sway Road site, appealed for help at last week’s parish council meeting alongside chair of governors Vicky Wales.

Mr Littlewood explained funding for the crossing patrol had been cut by Hampshire County Council in 2018.

But for the past four years it had been paid for by the Marden Charitable Trust, which he described as “very generous”.

He said: “The crossing patrol is the first line of defence in ensuring the safety of our children. It is where they are greeted in the morning and cross to the safety of the school.

“Sway Road has a large volume of traffic, and even with a crossing and warning lights, drivers do not stop.

“Securing funding for such a vital role is essential to the life of the school.”

Mrs Wales added: “We encourage as many of our 247 children to walk, cycle and scoot to school or preschool, and this has been rewarded with a platinum star award for travel to school.

“Given that national statistics indicate over 280 children are killed or seriously injured on our roads every year, our school and preschool community want this support for safe travel to continue.”

She added: “With the support of Hampshire County Council, advisory 20mph signs have now been installed.

“But this does not take away from the fact that children under 16 are our most vulnerable road users particularly child pedestrians.”

She claimed Department for Transport figures showed around 72% of child road deaths or serious injuries are between 8am and 8.59am and 3pm and 6.59pm – making the breakfast club and after-school club the “most vulnerable times too”.

Parish councillors agreed it was something they would consider after being told the school’s current crossing patrol was willing to continue if funding could be found.

As reported in the A&T, last year parents at Bartley Junior School in Winsor Road, Bartley, appealed for improved safety measures after its two crossing patrol officers retired within months of one another.

HCC’s website currently shows vacancies for school crossing patrol staff at Bartley Junior, at nearby Netley Marsh Infant School, and Orchard Infant School in Dibden Purlieu.

According to the county council, Brockenhurst Primary School does not meet the criteria for a patrol.

A spokesperson from HCC said: "With limited public funding available for school crossing patrols, the county council prioritises support to those locations where is the greatest need, based on Road Safety GB guidance.

"This means that schools must meet certain criteria to qualify for a patrol paid for by the local authority.

"There are a number of schools in Hampshire who do not meet the criteria and that have elected to purchase the school crossing patrol service under a service level agreement from the county council.

"With an existing zebra crossing adjacent to the primary school, this includes Brockenhurst.

"Bartley Junior School is a Hampshire County Council-funded location as this site meets the current criteria."