Two schools in Barking and Dagenham have taken it upon themselves to fund the return of school crossing patrols to protect pupils.

Furze Infants School and Warren Junior School, have paid for two lollipop ladies after parents asked for the service to be reinstated.

Working with Barking and Dagenham Council ‘s legal team, the schools managed to self-fund the return of the service this month at two locations – one outside Warren Junior School and one at the junction of High Road Chadwell Heath and Whalebone Lane North. 

School crossing patrols, which were funded by the council, were axed in 2017 when the difficult decision was made to scrap them due to government funding cuts. 

Councillor Evelyn Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement, said: “It’s great to see schools take the initiative and look for funding to bring back crossing patrol officers by other means. 

“I hope this will encourage other schools to follow suit and look to raise funds to bring back their own crossing patrol officers.

“Pupils’ safety remains a priority for the council, which is why we have invested in traffic calming measures around all our schools, including speed restrictions, speed humps, and safe places to cross.” 

The campaign was driven by the school’s chair of Governors, Councillor Glenda Paddle, who also represents the Whalebone ward.

Councillor Glenda Paddle said: "Parents were concerned about the lack of school crossing patrols, so have listened to their concerns and have been determined to do all we can to make sure our pupils are safe."