Dear Parents and Carers, 

I am writing to address ongoing concerns regarding parking and conduct around the school at drop-off and collection times. 

Firstly, I would like to thank the vast majority of our families who park responsibly, show consideration to our neighbours and allow themselves sufficient time to walk to school. Your support helps keep our children safe and maintains the positive relationships we have with our local community. 

Unfortunately, we have received already this term, complaints about a small minority of parents and carers whose parking and anti-social aggressive behaviour are causing significant concern. 

These concerns include: 

• Parking on double yellow lines. 

• Parking across or obstructing residents' driveways, entrances and exits. 

• Parking in private residential parking areas intended for residents only. 

• Creating congestion and hazards close to the school entrances. 

• Responding inappropriately when challenged by local residents, including directing residents to "take it up with the school". 

I must stress that parking legally and responsibly is the responsibility of each individual driver. It is not the responsibility of local residents, nor is it the responsibility of the school to provide suitable parking locations or justify poor parking decisions made by members of our community. 

Parents must allow themselves sufficient time to park safely and legally and, where necessary, walk a short distance to the school site. While we appreciate that this may occasionally be inconvenient, convenience cannot take precedence over safety, consideration for others, or compliance with parking regulations. 

It is also important to remember that having a child at the school does not give anyone the right to park in restricted areas, private residential spaces, or locations that cause an obstruction. When families join our school, they do so with an understanding of the parking limitations that exist around the site and the need to respect them. 

We are particularly concerned by reports that some residents who have politely challenged inappropriate parking have been met with rude, aggressive and vulgar language.  This is unacceptable. Our neighbours  and parents should be treated with courtesy and respect at all times. The actions of a small number of individuals risk damaging the positive relationships that the school has worked hard to build with the local community. 

If you witness or are subject to any aggressive or anti-social behaviour, if it is safe to do so, please take the registration plate number, report it to the police (https://www.surrey.police.uk/ro/report/asb/asb-v3/report-antisocial-behaviour/ or in an emergency 999) and then me. 

Many parents have asked whether a drop-off zone could be created at the front of the school. Please be assured that we have explored a range of possibilities. However, the frontage of the school is subject to zig-zag markings, double yellow lines and other highway restrictions. These regulations prohibit stopping and waiting in the area. As a result, introducing a drop-off facility there would effectively encourage drivers to act contrary to highway regulations, which is something the school cannot support. 

We will continue to explore any viable alternatives that may help alleviate parking pressures. However, at present, the only appropriate solution is for families to park legally and safely and walk the remaining short distance to school. 

As a reminder, there are three entrances to the school site, providing families with flexibility when planning their route to school. 

I have alert highways and the police to these matters.   

Thank you for your cooperation and support in helping us uphold the values of kindness, respect and consideration that we expect from all members of our school community. 

Yours sincerely, 

Mrs M Curtis 
Headteacher