Headteacher surprised over council’s lollipop patrol cut

The headteacher of one of Exmouth’s largest primary schools says she is surprised that county chiefs have said they will no longer pay for a lollipop patrol outside its main entrance.

Devon County Council says that the Moorfield Road entrance to Marpool Primary School, which has more than 350 pupils on roll and is expanding to take more than 400, no longer meets its requirements.

The school has been without a patrol in Moorfield Road for several months.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member for highways, said: “Unfortunately, we have been unable to find a replacement patrol, and the most recent assessment of the site has shown that it doesn’t meet the county council’s criteria for a patrol.

“However, we have already made an offer for the school or the community to provide volunteers.”

Headteacher Rachel Pattison said she was surprised at the decision, especially as the council is continuing to pay for two patrols behind the school in Bradham Lane.

The school has a history of traffic problems at Moorfield Road, and recently introduced a ‘park and stride’ scheme to try and reduce the amount of cars parking nearby.

She said: “I find it a surprise that at one of the largest primary schools in Exmouth, when we have a patrol at the bottom of Bradham Lane and on at the corner of Bradham Lane and Moorfield Road, the main entrance is [thought to be] not so important. I can’t figure that out.”

Mrs Pattison said that she was happy to work with the council to solve the problem.