We have made these changes to the Walking Home Policy as we wish to improve the safety of the children and pedestrians. As you’re aware, the paths on Grange Road are narrow and easily congested. This is worse at the end of the day with parents and carers waiting to meet their children. The congested paths increase risk, causing pedestrians to step onto the road which is busy with traffic. We have the added factor that adults and our older children can be looking at their phones, therefore decreasing awareness of their surroundings. In addition, drivers can flout the highway code and pull up on the zigzag lines, double yellow lines and even attempt a 3-point turn on Grange Road by the school entrance.

To reiterate, these changes are to improve the safety of the children and pedestrians.

The main changes to the walking home policy are as follows:

• All children need to be collected from the school playground unless they are in Year 5 or Year 6 and written consent has been provided that they can travel home alone.
• No child in Year 5 or 6 will be allowed to leave the school playground without an authorised adult or authorised person over 14 (e.g. sibling), unless written permission has been provided for them to travel home alone.
• There is no longer the option to meet your child at the top of the school drive. The options are meet your child in the playground or provide permission to travel home independently (Year 5 and Year 6 only).
• Children in Years 5 and 6 that travel to school independently by bike must wear a helmet.

The NSPCC provides guidance on this topic, providing sensible risk assessment questions, ensuring that your child understands what to do in an emergency.

Current Year 4 and Year 5 parents/carers - If you wish to complete the Travelling Home Independently form, here’s the link.