School Security, Site Safety and Parking

Keeping Our Children Safe

At SS John and Monica Catholic Primary School, the safety, security and wellbeing of our children, staff and visitors are of the highest importance.

We are committed to maintaining a safe, secure and welcoming school environment where children can learn, play and flourish with confidence.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and we ask all parents, carers and visitors to support our security arrangements and follow the procedures in place to protect our school community.

School Security and Access

To ensure that our school site remains safe and secure, we have a number of important security measures in place:

  • Electronic Security Gates: Electronic gates are fitted at the school entrance. Parents, carers and visitors requiring access during the school day must use the intercom system and wait to be admitted by a member of staff.

  • Secure Buildings: External doors are kept closed and secured against unauthorised entry throughout the school day.

  • Visitor Identification: All visitors must report to the School Office, sign in and wear an appropriate identification badge while on the premises.

  • Safeguarding Procedures: Visitors are expected to follow the school's safeguarding arrangements, including identification and supervision requirements where appropriate.

  • Supervised Arrivals and Departures: Staff supervise the arrival and dismissal of pupils to ensure that children enter and leave school safely.

We ask parents and carers not to allow unknown individuals to follow them through the school gates or into school buildings. All visitors must gain access through the appropriate procedures.

If you notice anything unusual or have concerns about site security, please inform a member of staff immediately.

Collection Arrangements at the End of the School Day

To ensure the safe and orderly dismissal of pupils, children are collected from designated areas of the school.

The school day finishes at 3.20 pm.

  • Reception and Year 1: Children are collected directly from their classroom doors.

  • Years 2 and 3: Children are collected from the Key Stage 1 playground at 3.20 pm.

  • Years 4, 5 and 6: Children are dismissed from the Key Stage 2 playground at 3.20 pm.

We ask parents and carers to arrive promptly, follow the designated collection arrangements and cooperate with staff supervising dismissal.

Children must only be collected by parents, carers or other adults authorised by their families. Any changes to normal collection arrangements should be communicated to the School Office in advance.

Where older pupils have permission to walk home independently, this must be agreed with the school in accordance with our safeguarding procedures.

Vehicle Access to the School Site

To protect children and families during the busiest times of the school day, vehicle access to the school site is restricted during the following periods:

  • Morning: 8.30 am – 9.15 am

  • Afternoon: 3.00 pm – 3.45 pm

Parents, carers and visitors must not attempt to enter the school site by vehicle during these times unless specific permission has been granted by the school.

These restrictions are essential in reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring that children can arrive at and leave school safely.

 

Parking Safely and Considerately Around Our School

Our Children's Safety Comes First

We are fortunate to be part of a welcoming residential community in Moseley, and we ask all parents and carers to park responsibly, legally and considerately when dropping off or collecting their children.

The roads surrounding our school can become particularly busy at the beginning and end of the school day. Inconsiderate or dangerous parking places children, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users at risk.

No journey, however short, is worth compromising a child's safety.

We ask all parents and carers to observe the following important rules.

School Entrance Markings – Keep Clear

Do not stop or park on the yellow zigzag markings outside the school where the restrictions are in force.

These markings are there to protect children by keeping the school entrance clear, improving visibility and allowing pupils and families to cross the road more safely.

Where school entrance markings are accompanied by the relevant upright traffic signs, stopping during the stated restricted hours is prohibited and may result in enforcement action and a Penalty Charge Notice.

Even outside restricted hours, we strongly discourage stopping on these markings because of the potential danger to children.

Respect Our Neighbours – Do Not Block Driveways

Please do not park across or obstruct residents' driveways or dropped kerbs.

Our school is situated within a residential community, and we have a responsibility to respect the people who live nearby.

Blocking a driveway can prevent residents from entering or leaving their properties and may create unnecessary difficulties, particularly for those who are elderly, disabled or require urgent access.

Under Section 86 of the Traffic Management Act 2004, parking adjacent to a dropped footway is generally prohibited in a special enforcement area, subject to statutory exceptions. Civil enforcement action may be taken where applicable.

We ask parents and carers to show courtesy and consideration to our neighbours at all times.

Park Responsibly

When travelling to school by car, please ensure that you:

  • Do not stop or park on restricted school zigzag markings.

  • Do not obstruct residents' driveways or dropped kerbs.

  • Do not park on double yellow lines or other restricted areas.

  • Do not park on pavements or in a way that forces pedestrians, wheelchair users or families with pushchairs into the road.

  • Do not stop on pedestrian crossings or within their controlled areas.

  • Do not double-park or stop in a way that restricts visibility or the safe movement of traffic.

  • Do not block access for emergency vehicles, delivery vehicles or local residents.

  • Always follow the Highway Code and any local parking restrictions.

Please remember that parking restrictions apply even if you are only stopping for a few moments to drop off or collect your child.

Consider Walking to School

Where possible, we encourage families to walk, cycle or scoot to school.

Walking to school offers many benefits, including:

  • Reducing traffic congestion around the school.

  • Improving children's physical health and wellbeing.

  • Supporting independence and road safety awareness.

  • Reducing pollution and protecting our environment.

  • Providing an opportunity for families to spend time together.

If travelling by car is necessary, please consider parking a little further away in a safe and legal location and walking the remaining distance to school.

Even a short walk can make a significant difference to congestion and safety around our school gates.

Working Together to Keep Everyone Safe

We recognise that mornings and afternoons can be busy for families. However, we ask everyone to remain patient, considerate and mindful of the safety of others.

Our school is at the heart of a residential community, and we value the positive relationships we have with our neighbours.

By following our security procedures, respecting parking restrictions and being considerate towards others, we can all help create a safer and more pleasant environment for our children, families, staff and local residents.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and for helping us keep SS John and Monica Catholic Primary School a safe, secure and welcoming place for everyone.

Our children's safety is everyone's responsibility.