School Crossing Patrols
This page offers information about the School Crossing Patrol Service, Pedestrian Advice, Motorist Advice, and information about Recruitment. For further information, please contact Pauline Rootsey, SCP Co-ordinator.
About the Service
 The
School Crossing Patrol Service was first introduced in the 1950s.
The Metropolitan Police Service used to run the School Crossing Patrol
Service for the whole of London until April 2000, when it was handed
over to Local Authorities. The law gives Local Authorities the power
to provide patrols although they do not have to do so. However, Bexley
Council sees it as an important public service and demonstrates this
by employing a full-time designated School Crossing Patrol
Co-ordinator to recruit, train and supervise the patrols. She
also carries out site inspections and deals with all issues relating to the service.
There are 46 approved sites in the Borough. We are always on the look out
for suitable people to become either permanent patrols or reserve
patrols to stand in when someone is off. More information on recruitment
is given below.
What Are School Crossing Patrols?
School Crossing Patrols
are employed by the
Council, primarily to help
children cross the road
safely on their way to and
from school. When a patrol
displays their stop sign, motorists must stop. If
they do not, they are breaking the law and will
be reported. They can face a £1000 fine and 3
penalty points on their licence. Patrols are
allowed to stop traffic for
anyone wishing to cross
the road so long as
they are operating
at their approved
site and within
their authorised
hours of duty.
Even where
a School Crossing
Patrol is provided,
parents remain
responsible for ensuring
their children's
safety.
You can help the Patrol by:
- Teaching your child to wait on the
pavement and follow instructions
- Teaching your child to cross in
front of the Patrol
- Making sure your child behaves sensibly
and does not distract the Patrol
- Setting a good example yourself
Our Aims
Bexley Council is committed to improving the quality of life in Bexley. To support this, the Road
Safety Unit aims to provide an excellent service for all our customers by:
- Recruiting Patrols to fill each of the approved sites in the Borough
- Recruiting Reserve Patrols to cover for longer-term absence
- Providing cover for the first day of absence
- Asking schools to tell parents if the patrol is going to be absent for more than 1 day
- Telling schools immediately if we cannot provide cover
- Telling parents within 5 days of a vacancy occurring
- Providing regular training for all Patrols both on site and off site
- Visiting each Patrol at least once a term
- Providing regular health checks for all Patrols over 65 years old
- Dealing with any complaints promptly and effectively by visiting the Patrol within 3
working days. Discussing the complaint and addressing any training issues.
Help Us to Help You
Please answer the
following questions to help
us maintain a high service
for our customers and to
assess whether we are meeting
your needs.
Pedestrian Advice
SCPs can help anyone cross the road, so long as they are at a designated site
and working within approved times. Pedestrians are asked to follow these simple
rules when crossing with a patrol:
 |
- Stand well back
- Wait
- Listen to Patrol's instructions
- Cross in front of the patrol
- Never play or run near a patrol
|
 |
Return to top of page
Motorist Advice
Drivers of all vehicles must stop and remain stationary when the School Crossing
Patrol sign is displayed in the upright positions (see position 3 below). Failure
to do so can result in police prosecution. Bexley Lollipop men and women
launched the 'Stop Means Stop' campaign in July 2007, reminding motorists of
their legal responsibility. They were joined by Bexley Mayor, Councillor Nigel
Betts and the Chairman of the Council's Road Safety Consultative Committee, Councillor
Val Clark. Children from St Fidelis Catholic School in Erith were also at the
launch to remind drivers why they must stop in the first place.
 
Please give our SCPs consideration and assistance. They are there
to help vulnerable pedestrians, in all weathers to use our roads safely. Please remember to:
Park well away from them, so they can see clearly in both directions Reduce speed and be prepared to stop Obey instructions (see diagram below) Completely Stop your vehicle when asked to do so, do not roll forward Wait until the Patrol has returned to pavement before moving off
It is an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1984
if you do not stop when signalled to do so by a school crossing patrol.
We take the health and safety of our patrols very seriously.
If you do not stop you will be reported to the Police and
the possible penalties include:
- a fine up to £1000
- three penalty points
- disqualification
STOP MEANS STOP!
|
 |
Return to top of page
Join Our Team
School Crossing patrols need to work every day of the school term. They can
be between 18 and 80 years old and normally work 40 minutes in the morning and
30 minutes in the afternoon. Full uniform and training are provided, along with
a good hourly rate of pay of £7.52 per hour.
Are you what we are looking for? Do you have:
a responsible attitude to road safety ability to communicate clearly ability to give clear decisive signals good eyesight, hearing and general health ability to work on your own initiative willingness to undergo training willingness to work in all weathers willingness to undergo a criminal record check
If so, please contact the Road Safety Team to arrange an informal
interview. Either telephone 020 8308 7855,
or e-mail roadsafetyeducation@bexley.gov.uk.
We currently have the following vacancies:
|
School(s) Served |
Location |
Hours |
|
East Wickham Junior School
|
Wickham Street, Welling
|
8:25 to 9:05 (40 minutes)
15:10 to 15:40 (30 minutes)
|
Longlands Primary School |
Main Road junction with Woodside Road, Sidcup |
8:25 to 9:05 (40 minutes)
15:20 to 16:00 (40 minutes) |
Merton Court School |
Knoll Road, Sidcup |
8:00 to 8:55 (55 minutes)
14:55 to 15:55 (60 minutes) |
Mayplace Primary |
Mayplace Road East junction with Oakwood Drive |
8:20 to 9:10 (50 minutes)
15:10 to 15:50 (40 minutes) |
|
Pelham Primary School
|
Woolwich Road junction with Pelham Road
|
8:30 to 9:10 (40 minutes)
15:20 to 15:45 (25 minutes)
|
Upton Primary School |
Upton Road junction with Iris Crescent, Bexleyheath |
8:20 to 9:00 (40 minutes)
15:05 to 15:40 (35 minutes) |
We also need 'Reserve Patrols' at all our school crossing patrol
sites, to fill in when the permanent patrol is unable to work.
|
