A PARENT has slammed a school in Wimborne for its new “constricted” drop off times.
Amber Leonard, whose youngest child attends Hayeswood First School, has warned the new drop off system in place for parents and pupils is “going to cause an accident” if it is not reviewed.
The school implemented changes to drop offs in January, seeing the pedestrian gate from the road opened at 8.40am, ahead of pupil registration at 8.55am.
Amber says this is half the time parents once had to drop off their children, seeing more of them pull up in their cars on the road outside the school as a quick drop off.
She told the Daily Echo: “Every morning is chaos, and carnage. You’ve got cars mounting the pavements to pass other cars, you have cars parking on the zig zags, parents that are getting so irate that they’re using their horns and it’s distressing the children.”
Amber has safety concerns surrounding the new system and argues the new levels of congestion is “dangerous” for children arriving at the school in the morning.
She has submitted a complaint to Hayeswood, asking them to review the changes, and has raised safeguarding concerns with Dorset Police.
Amber said: “I’ve complained to the school, and they are saying it will be reviewed, but when will it be?
“It can’t wait another 48 hours. It can’t wait another two weeks. There’s going to be an accident.
"I'm not the only parent with concerns."
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The Daily Echo approached Hayeswood First School on the matter.
Headteacher Sharon Staddon said: “I wrote to the parents on December 5 last term, following regular safeguarding and health and safety reviews, to say that we would be introducing a new drop-off system starting in January.
“The pedestrian gate is opened at 8.40am and registration is at 8.55am. Most parents drop their children off at the gate, where they are greeted by a member of staff.
“Another member of staff greets them in the playground. All staff wear high vis jackets when on duty.
“As indicated in the original letter to parents, the situation will be monitored and reviewed regularly.
“The changes were made specifically because the safety of the children is of paramount concern.”
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