St Robert Southwell School Expansion Approved

Brent Council Executive have agreed to the expansion of St Robert Southwell RC Primary School when the results of a statutory consultation exercise were reported on Monday night (20^th August) . The school plan to start work on the building project soon which will provide much needed reception places for Catholic children in the Kingsbury area from Sept 2013.

Some residents expressed concern during the consultation exercise that parking problems will increase. The Schools Headteacher and Chair of Governors have promised local ward Councillors that they take vigorous steps to stop inconsiderate parking by parents.

Plans have already been approved and the building work estimated to cost 1.4 million will be paid for by the Council with a contribution from the school. 

Cllr George Crane

Brent Council agrees expansion of St Robert Southwell RC Primary School.

The Brent Council Executive gave approval at a meeting last night (23^rd April) to St Robert Southwell RC Primary school being included in the next round of school expansion plans.

The Executive agreed to expand the school by .5 FE (Form of Entry) by September 2013. The school was previously shortlisted back in August 2011 and has been moved up the list due to increasing demand for places at the school in the Kingsbury area.

The Council will now discuss the plans with the Westminster Diocese.

The Council and School will need to undertake a Statutory consultation exercise and if this is completed by September 2012 a start can be made with a planned completion by August 2013.

Fryent Councillors Jim, Ruth and George were delighted with the news. Cllr Ruth Moher said “We have been aware of the pressing need for school places at St Robert Southwell for some time. I am sure parents will be pleased that the Council have acted to secure additional places in the school for local parents.”

The future of School Crossing Patrols in Brent

The Future of School Crossing Patrols

Brent Council has recently announced a review of the School Crossing Patrol service (SCP), sometimes referred to as Lollipop attendants, due to the shaped coloured banner they hold.

Brent has one of the largest School Crossing Patrol services in London. There are 47 sites covered by SCP,s two of which are in Fryent. One at Fryent School in Church Lane and one at St Robert Southwell School in Slough Lane.

In recent years Brent has been successful in reducing road casualties, especially children. Children killed or seriously injured have reduced from 40+ per annum in the late 1990’s to 11 per annum in 2009, sadly still to many but below both national and London targets. It has to be said that it is difficult to identify any direct contribution of the (SCP) to this reduction. Road casualty reduction has been the result of a combination of activities and initiatives.

RISK EVALUATION

Brent council has devised a model for “risk evaluation” and assessed each SCP location. Some schools may be close to Pelican crossings, be in a 20MPH zone, or simply have a traffic refuge outside the school. 

The results of the evaluation risk model in Fryent would mean that the SCP outside Fryent School would be removed and the SCP outside St Robert Southwell School would be retained.

An alternative option would be for the school to “buy back” the service and cover the annual cost of the SCP, approximately £6000 per annum.

CONSULTATION

Schools are being invited to share the proposals with the wider community, parents and carers. A report will go to the Council Executive in mid July. Details of the proposals will be available on Brent Council website.

The Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 provides that London Boroughs may make arrangements for patrolling school crossings but there is no duty to do so.

So what do residents think? Should your Council Tax pay for School Crossing Patrols? Should the Council only provide for the most risky sites? Be part of the debate.( You can click on  comment or sign in).