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My sons school secruity is a joke.

new_mum_again
Posts: 190 Forumite
Last week walking past my sons school I noticed that the frount gate leading to the school was not only unlocked but open so I went to the office and asked why it was and got the gruff reply 'Its never locked and no-one would know it was an entrance to the school' My reply was that as I had taken my friend once before that she would know where it was and that as it is on a high street anyone driving past at school time would also know. Was told to make an appointment with head. Did so only got basic same answer even though I pointed out the fact that I had spoken to a couple of mums who have sole custody and they were not happy as their children are at risk The reply I got was 'Well Miss new mum again the children we know that are risk, the lunchtime supervisors keep an eye on' and when I pointed out that any child could simply walk out of school was told 'well that hasnt happened so far' I was then told she had another meeting in 5 mins so would have to make another appointment to discuss the matter further. The meeting is tomorrow, The problem I have is I am quite a shy person who gets easily talked into things and puts up with things that I am not happy about.So any advice would help. I was tempted to say that unless the gate is locked I will remove son but he got really upset at this as he has 100% attendence. I dont know what to say/do been up most of the weekend worrying.Thankyou for taking the time to read through this rather long rant.
I miss my mum every minute of every day
R.I.P xx

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threaten to take the matter to the paper's. or just tell the HM that you think his answers are unsaticfactory and will take it higher. it should'nt take to long for the school to get a bolt and chain on there....If i upset you don't stress, never forget that god aint finished with me yet.0
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If you feel really strongly about this matter write to the school governors. The Head will have to take it seriously if you do that. Not an instant solution because they'll have to wait until their next Gov meeting (which can be monthly) but you'll get a result then.
HTH
HDDon't grow up. Its a trap!
Peace, love and labradors!0 -
I would certainly pick up on the statement of "'well that hasnt happened so far' "
Ask if anything will change on the day when it does happen, and if the answer is yes, would it not be better to put preventative measures in place now, rather than then.
I think you will also get further by adopting an approach of trying to help the school to be aware, as this head is obviously set in ways that will be difficult to change.
Personnally, I would go down the helpful/advisory route first, and definately not the threaten/newspaper route, until the point when calm dialogue was at an end.Bad Spellers of the world untie0 -
threaten to take the matter to the paper's. or just tell the HM that you think his answers are unsaticfactory and will take it higher. it should'nt take to long for the school to get a bolt and chain on there....
Aye. And god forbid they need to get the kids off the premises in a hurry while someone fiddles with a rusty lock or looks for a key...0 -
You are right to be worried. Tell this head teacher that you will be putting your concerns in writing to the governors & that the matter needs to be dealt with. These people are there to look at the health & saftey aspects of the school & the children.
I must admit I don't like the idea of locking the gate(due to health & safety reasons) but atleast it should be shut & maybe a latch at the top that would stop a child leaving the school premises.
All doors into the school should only open from the inside anyway & those that don't should have a security lock (keycode that only staff know).
Tell them they need to put a sign up or send a letter out about closing the gate for their child's own saftey as you would be surprised to see how many parents don't do this!!!
Hope this helps & if you don't feel that your concerns have not been listened to then contact OFSTED as there is a part in there standards about listening to & acting on parent concerns. or something along those lines.:A this web site is heavenly :A0 -
Don't you think it is morally wrong to lock children up all day.
It must be like being in prison. How would they get out in an emergency or how would the fire brigade get in.
I have 3 children oldest 15 and have never heard of a child escaping from school.
This is pc gone totally, totally mad.0 -
My schools were never the locked, secure fenced prisons that they have now. The world has gone mad.0
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My school gates were never locked, and we even had access to the roof of the neighbouring department store from our school field (teeming with red ants though - you had to be brave!). We even entertained the illusion in the junior school (aged around 10) that we could legally walk out of school and nobody could stop us. We didn't though!
Realistically, if a child really did want to abscond from school a locked gate wouldn't stop them, and likewise anyone trying to get in. What is it you think might happen to your son? Does he have a tendency to wander off? I am sure if this is the case, a simple word to his class teacher would mean that they keep a closer eye on him...0 -
I'm afraid I don't like locked school gates either
what are you protecting? the outside world from the kids or the kids from the outside world?Trying to get on top of finances one step at a time0 -
I would not expect school gates to be locked.
My son's school has 3 gates for pedestrian access and one large double gate for vehicle access. Only when the school is closed are the gates closed and locked.
Another school near me had no gates, no fence, just a low wall with a couple of entrances.
Can't see the school agreeing to lock the gates although no harm in them being shutWe all evolve - get on with it0
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