Introduction of Pick-up Points at Schools in Stockport
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council believes very strongly in promoting the independence of any child in every aspect of their learning, including their journeys to and from school. This is invaluable in developing social and life skills for the years to come and increase opportunities once your child leaves education. As a result of this the SEN Travel Co-ordination Service will be introducing a ‘pick-up’ and ‘drop-off’ point system across many of the schools in the Borough. Such a system is already in place and operating very successfully at Castle Hill High School and Acorns School. We do recognise that all children attending a special provision are vulnerable. We however wish to support children by transporting them in the least restrictive way and so enhancing their independent skills to support their route into adulthood. Practically, this means that a vehicle will pick your child (and a number of other children) up from a central point near your home and then take them to school. This is normally at a bus stop near to your home address. On the return journeys your child will be picked up from school and dropped back off at the same point used for the morning journey. The changes will affect the following schools at present (though more schools will be considered on a rolling program of change:Summer Term 2013 (after the Easter break)
Bradshaw Hall Primary School Vernon Park Primary School Thorn Grove Primary School June 2013 Windlehurst School St John Vianney School
The process for implementation will include:
Informing the school and arranging a meeting at school with parents. Writing to parents and inviting them to a meeting to discuss pick-up points Walking the pick up point from the home address to the designated pick up point per young person.
Driving the routes with young people, driver and passenger assistant in real time on the vehicle. Writing to parents explaining where the pick up point is, time and start date On first day of introducing pick up points, we visit school to see if there were any problems.
We will take into account the needs of individuals but part of the consideration will be parents taking responsibility in some cases to get their child to a designated place. We firmly believe that Pick-up Points will:
Promote healthy lifestyles/living in young people Develop independence skills Develop social skills- help to form peer relationships and social interaction It is much easier and safer for schools to mange fewer vehicles within their grounds.
Simon Robson SEN Travel Co-ordination Service Manager