We are recruiting new school crossing patrol officers – better known as ‘lollipop’ men and women – for a range of schools throughout South Gloucestershire.
Our road safety team are looking for community minded people who would like to help local children travel to school safely.
All school crossing patrols provide a really valuable service to the local community by ensuring that children and adults are able to cross the road safely on their route to and from school.
There are currently 41 school crossing patrol sites across South Gloucestershire and we have 10 vacancies to fill in areas across South Gloucestershire. These are paid posts, and patrol times vary at different schools but are generally for half an hour in the morning (approximately 8.30am to 9am) and half an hour in the afternoon (approximately 3pm to 3.30pm) during term time only.
No formal qualifications or experience are required as we will train suitable applicants and a uniform will be provided. Experience of working with or being responsible for children is desirable and knowledge of the Highway Code as a driver, cyclist or pedestrian would be helpful.
South Gloucestershire Council’s lead member for planning and transport Cllr Colin Hunt said: “We highly value our school crossing patrols and the dedicated work that they do to ensure our children travel safely to and from school.
“Crossing patrol staff often find it a hugely rewarding and sociable role and many stay in their post for years and years. I would urge anybody who might be interested in one of these posts to get in touch with us.”
Road safety officer Wendy Dykes said: “We are asking parents and other residents to ‘spread the word’ and encourage anybody who might be interested in the posts to consider signing up.
“The main duty of a school crossing patrol is to judge when it is best to signal for traffic to stop and to ensure the safety of the people wishing to cross. We also look for our patrols to build and maintain a good working relationship with the children, parents, drivers and the schools that does not compromise the safety or the efficient and effective operation of the site.”
School crossing patrols have been a feature of community life for more than 60 years and since 2001 have also been able to cross not just school children but anybody who needs help crossing the road.
Applications are welcome from people of all ages. If you feel that you fit this description and would like to help local children travel to school safely and become a vital part of the local community please contact the road safety team for an informal discussion or application form. Appointment is subject to references, DBS checks and medical.
Areas where we have vacancies for school crossing patrol officers:
Almondsbury CE Primary School
Crossways Infants/Juniors, Thornbury
Elm Park Primary School, Winterbourne
Longwell Green Primary School
Manorbrook Primary School, Thornbury
North Road Primary School, Yate
St Barnabas CE Primary School, North Common
St Johns Mead CE Primary School, Chipping Sodbury
St Michaels CE Primary School, Winterbourne
Watermore Primary School, Frampton Cotterell.
If you are interested in applying please contact us on 01454 863611.
For more information about South Gloucestershire’s road safety team visit www.southglos.gov.uk/roadsafety
Case study:
School crossing patrol officer Tracey Lush loves her job because she knows she is making a difference in her community.
Every day she helps children and their parents cross busy Quaker’s Road safely to get to Bromley Heath infant and junior schools.
Whatever the weather she is ready with a smile and a kind word and just a year into the job, she knows almost every child by name.
“It is a really lovely start to the day,” she said.
“I do feel as though I am making a difference, making sure children get to school safely, and everyone is so grateful I am here.
“It is also really sociable and helps you get to know people. I am a cheerful person anyway, and that does help, but you get what you put in.”
Mrs Lush already worked at the school as a lunchtime supervisor before becoming a patrol officer and found the hours tied in with that job and her own three children.
“I was doing the school run here anyway,” she said. “I don’t think I realised how suitable it was for me with the hours fitting around the children but it is ideal for me.
“I absolutely love it. Even the weather in the winter doesn’t put me off.”
