Planned Responsible Person

A responsible person is defined by maturity and ability to manage the behaviour and actions of a younger child safely. They are not defined by age. The final judgement on whether arrangements are appropriate is retained and reviewed by parents. However, the school has safeguarding responsibilities and will intervene if there is or appears to be a considerable risk of harm e.g. child walking with friends playing in the road. Parents are responsible for placing suitable safe arrangements for school travel for their own child.

There are two factors in a safe partnership,

1. the extent to which the junior age child will follow instructions and keep themselves safe
2. the extent to which the responsible person holds sufficient authority, demonstrates maturity and manages risks effectively.

Based on the risk matrix ALL year 3 and 4 children are expected to walk to and from school with a responsible person. We strongly advise parents not to allow children in Y3 or 4 to walk to school alone or without responsible supervision. We respect this is a family choice but must share our professional view that this is likely to be a safeguarding risk in relation children when near roads and playing unsupervised in Homefield park – a known risk area.

Safety before convenience - always

Dropping Off Arrangements

Year 3 First Week

Please refer to plan above to support understanding.

Y3 families may enter the school premises through the main Chesswood Rd entrance or through our Ladydell road entrance.

All Y3 children are encouraged to walk into school and onto the Y3 playground with their responsible person throughout the first week. A responsible person is likely to be their mum or dad, particularly in the early weeks of joining Chesswood. However, it may be an extended family member, a sibling or a child carer, this is a parent decision. Where a child under 18 is given the responsibility of arriving then parents must be confident they are sufficiently mature to keep the younger child safe – see risk matrix above.

All teachers will be out and about on the playground to meet and greet new children. A whistle will blow at 8:45 a.m. Children will then walk to their new classroom door, queue up silently, and the teacher will then let them in. All responsible persons leave the playground on or before the whistle is blown. We recognise this may be difficult for some in the first few days but it benefits the child for a parents to show trust that they will be safe and happy at school by leaving promptly and confidently.

All Children and Y3 Week 2 Onwards

All children and families may enter the school premises through the main Chesswood Rd entrance or through our Ladydell road entrance. It is a family choice whether they say good bye at the school gates or they walk and wait with their child. Typically, as children get older they like a little more independence. This may start in Y3 saying goodbye at the gate or Year 6 or never – there is no right or wrong.

A member of staff will routinely be at the gate. Occasionally they may be away from the gate to managing an arising incident such as dangerous parking near the crossing. If you have any questions staff will be happy to help. To start the day on a positive welcoming basis staff will greet all visitors – good morning, HI etc. Please encourage your child to respond, this is part of maturing and acting confidently.

On arrival Children go to their allocated playground and remain there until the whistle is blown (one long blast). Children must stand still and stand silent – watching the class cards that will be held aloft by the adult. When, and not before, the child’s class card is held up, children walk calmly and quietly to their classrooms. We do not practice lining up before entering as this is an inefficient use of time

Parents that have come onto the school site may leave by the entrance to entered or through the Chesswood road car park – when supervised by staff members. Children and families MUST NOT attempt to enter through the Chesswood road car park at any time.

Families must not seek to enter the site through the Chesswood Road car park. Entry is only permitted through the Chesswood road pedestrian entrance and visitors are encouraged to leave through the car park to prevent congestion at busy times.

Wet Weather Arrangements

Children should always dress for the conditions. In response to light drizzle children will be expected to arrive in coats and remain outside. In persistent drizzle or rain children will be directed to walk to their classroom where they can sit and undertake a quiet activity e.g. reading, card games, finishing off work.

Arrival Times

Arrive after 8:30, unless part of a formal activity. Arrive by 8:45 a.m. Children enter classes at 8:45. The school day starts officially at 8:50 a.m.

Collection

There are five options that are broadly risk assessed. Families must make the final determination on what arrangements are sufficiently safe.

Tick =  school believe it is an appropriate option.

No entry =  school believe it is not an appropriate option and strongly advise parent to make other arrangements.

SEN = school believe this arrangement should only apply to children with significant special educational needs or where there is a demonstrable safeguarding risk.

All families must inform the school of the collection arrangements that they have put in place.

They must update these as they are adjusted.

Families are invited to complete the form below to confirm their wishes

Collection Arrangements Form

All parents are asked to complete this form and update it in response to changes.

This enables schools staff to be aware of family arrangement, confirm these where a child is unsure and remind children of their arrangements periodically.

You may complete the form embedded in this page or follow this LINK if using a smaller device such as a phone or tablet.

Safe Collection

Direct Class Collection

Child will sit in class each afternoon when other leave and responsible person will arrive at the classroom. Priority will be given to children leaving before adults are allowed to collect from class. We do not recommend or promote this in any age group unless there are specific SEN, maturity or safeguarding reasons.

Collecting on the premises.

It is important that family consistently undertake the following:

Ensure the responsible person

• arrives at school by 3:15p.m. for children being released from class. Or at the agreed collection time if attending an extra-curricular club or after school club.
• contacts school reception as soon as possible to notify of any expected lateness. If we are notified by 3p.m. of a late responsible person arrival we will ensure child has instruction to remain in class. Notification after this time is subject to risk of message not being delivered.
• Comes into the school premises and waits at a location agreed with child sustaining that routine and building confidence for the child
  • For year 3 or 4 children without older siblings at Chesswood are met inside the school premises.
  • For Year 5 and 6 children they typically either leave the premises to travel home independently or meet a responsible person nearby beyond the school gates.

The poster is shared by class teachers with all children in their class. It is vital that parents routinely remind their child they must NEVER leave the school premises without a responsible adult until they have permission to leave independently. If the responsible adult cannot be seen or has not arrived routinely remind child to return to their class teacher or school reception.

As a large school with many different collection arrangements we make every effort to identify and challenge children leaving the premises without an adult but this is not a water tight solution. We need to respect families wanting to exit quickly and balance that with stopping and challenging children. For this reason, families take responsibility for ensuring their child know not to leave without a responsible adult.

If a family believes there is a risk they may leave as a result of defiance or immaturity then they MUST notify the class teacher immediately and we will ensure there is an agreed robust collection plan in place.

Collection from after school clubs

Typically, children are collected from the Year 4 playground following all extra-curricular clubs. If a family wishes to meet in another locations external to the school premises we support that. In the winter months, as it gets dark early families should consider and respond to this additional risk – bright or reflective clothing is recommended especially where children travel independently of a school.

After School Collection

To collect from after school club, the responsible person must announce their name and the agreed password for the week. Either children will be brought to the gate or the responsible person will collect from the new hall.

Late Collection

Ladydell and Chesswood Road Safety - Online Questionnaire Outcomes

Following a range of concerns shared by parents and local residents, over time, about Ladydell and Chesswood Road collection and drop off arrangements, school leaders have taken a number of additional actions to reduce risks for children and families. This online feedback form received a significant number of responses capturing parent views about Ladydell and Chesswood Road safety. 

Overview	Link
Road Safety Report Following a range of concerns shared by parents and local residents, over time, about Ladydell and Chesswood Road collection and drop off arrangements, school leaders undertook a research to develop an understanding of parent views on dropping off and collecting children safely. The report of the questionnaire outcomes may be accessed by clicking the image opposite.
Child and Road Safety Please click the image opposite to open the letter requesting all families complete the questionnaire below and the reasons why this has become necessary.

Have you witnessed or experienced dangerous driving or parking?

Guide

Link

Improve Children's Safety - Do Your Bit :-) Record it and Report it If you witness or experience a near miss; or an incident; or dangerous stopping or parking please use your mobile phone to photograph or video the incident. You DO NOT need to approach the driver simply record and report to Sussex Police. Please use the following website: http://www.operationcrackdown.org/ The process is quick, easy and ANONYMOUS.

Chesswood Road Entrance - drop off and collection

Guide	Link
Park and stride - Zones Chesswood Road - Main Entrance Typical Walking Times 100m = @2m 20 secs 200m = @4m 40 secs 300m = @7m 400m = @9m 20 secs Please click the image to open it in a new page and look in more detail at local roads available within different walking times. When using the Chesswood Rd Main entrance it is unrealistic to park North of the train line hence the red hatched area. We ask all parents to recognise that parking at or very near < 100m to the school is unrealistic and increases road safety risks for children. PLEASE get into the habit of finding a space 100m + away from the school gate. Enjoy a brief walk with your child.
No stopping or parking zone Please click the image to open it in a new page and look in more detail at local roads available within different walking times. Stopping or parking in the red zones presents a VERY HIGH RISK TO CHILDREN AND IS ILLEGAL Stopping or parking in the amber zone presents a risk to children and is illegal.
Park Politely - Do NOT block driveways Please click the image to open it in a new page and look in more detail at this poster.
ZIG ZAGS Please click the image to open it in a new page and look in more detail at this poster.

Ladydell Road Drop Off and Collection

Guide	Link
Park and stride - Zones Ladydell Road -  Entrance Typical Walking Times 100m = @2m 20 secs 200m = @4m 40 secs 300m = @7m 400m = @9m 20 secs Please click the image to open it in a new page and look in more detail at local roads available within different walking times. It is possible to 'Park and Stride' from both  North or South of the train line. We ask all parents to recognise that parking at or very near < 100m to the school is unrealistic and increases road safety risks for children. PLEASE get into the habit of finding a space 100m + away from the school gate. Enjoy a brief walk with your child.
Ladydell Road Cul De Sac Voluntary NO ENTRY Zone Please click the image to open it in a new page and look in more detail at the request to all parents to avoid driving, stopping, parking or turning within the Ladydell Road Cul De Sac at drop off or collection times
Ladydell Cul De Sac - Parent Letter Please click the image opposite to read the letter sent to all parents regarding the safety concerns within the Ladydell Road Cul De Sac. Letter originally circulated - September 2020