Schools win fight to keep lollipop ladies
PARENTS are celebrating after three lollipop ladies' jobs were saved – despite a further 40 being axed as part of controversial council cuts.
Hundreds of families across Stoke-on-Trent have been campaigning to keep the wardens ever since the city council announced the positions were being reviewed.
-
Celebrating: Lollipop Lady Heather Rowson, 56, of Longton pictured with students from the Gladstone Primary School.
But most were left disappointed after council chiefs pressed ahead with plans to make 40 wardens redundant.
Instead, the council has told schools they must find volunteers or pay existing staff using their own budgets.
Dyson DC50i - Bagless upright vacuum cleaner - BALL Technology -...
View detailsThisi is Dyson's smallest upright vacuum cleaner with the performance of a full size upright machine. The DC50i has Dyson's most advanced cleaner head technology and 2 Tier RadialTM cyclones.
Terms: LIMITED STOCK OFFER. FREE delivery to most UK postcodes - Next working day dispatch.
Contact: 01664 491439
Valid until: Monday, May 27 2013
However, lollipop patrols at crossings near to St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, in Trent Vale; Gladstone Primary, in Longton; and St Augustine's Primary, in Meir, were deemed too dangerous to lose.
Heather Rawson has been helping pupils at Gladstone Primary to safely cross the road for nearly 19 years.
The 56-year-old is one of three wardens whose jobs are no longer at risk as part of the council's proposals, which they say will save £101,000 per year.
Heather said: "I am very happy to be staying. I love my job, the parents, children and teachers have been behind me 100 per cent. I am so grateful.
"I feel really sorry for the others and my heart goes out to them. I wouldn't like to think of anyone getting hurt and I think it would be dangerous anywhere with children crossing."
Claire Oliver, aged 30, from Longton, who walks her two girls, aged eight and ten to the school each morning, said: "I think she is needed here, it's a busy road and the younger children tend to get excited and try to run across.
"Heather is a brilliant warden. She knows everyone and she always has a smile on her face."
Elsewhere, more than 500 people had signed a petition calling on the council to reconsider its plans to axe the crossing warden in near St Teresa's Primary in Trent Vale.
Headteacher Sarah Cumbo said: "Everyone at the school welcomes the news. The crossing patrol is highly valued to our community and necessary, given the level of traffic. We are thrilled.
"When Wendy Bailey, our lollipop lady, heard, she was very excited. The thought of our children crossing four lanes of traffic is totally unacceptable."
St Augustine's RC Primary School Head teacher, Ed Byrne, said: "It's really unfortunate that so many schools will not have the same community service that is so valuable."
6 Comments
by kcssia940
Sunday, February 10 2013, 1:29PM
“" Reply to Backdoored" The age I am referring to is the children who attend infants and primary schools the younger ones who should not be going to school unescorted. Yes i do have young children & would not dream of sending them alone to school.
I agree about iresponsible parents of which there is quite a few, but parents that do take their children to school should be responsible for their saftey and teach them about crossing the roads , but sadley most can't be bothered. The older children (high school etc.) we all know can't be told anything and please themselves, even if a warden is operating.”
by Backdoored
Saturday, February 09 2013, 11:22PM
“Stoke-on-Trent Council do have their policies in the right order, from their own point of view they do.
Unfortunately though, in doing so they put themselves first. I'm afraid their policies are first and aimed to secure good remuneration for themselves in terms of 'EXPENSE SHEEETS' -The Leader Pervez on £44,000 -and he holds down a full-time job too -on top of that..!
His 'advisor' -a professional waster, van de Larschott, goes one better; he persuaded them to pay hime £4,000 per week..!!
Now that's what I call GETTING THEIR PRIORITIES IN THE RIGHT ORDER. That's 'right' in the political sense of course.”
by Stonemaiden
Saturday, February 09 2013, 10:58PM
“Make no mistake, children will be injured and will die as a result of this policy to remove the lollipop men and women. Stoke on Trent council do not have their priorities in the right order, and they haven't for along time. Wake up people of Stoke on Trent and vote for something better.”
by Backdoored
Saturday, February 09 2013, 10:54PM
“by kcssia..."It's up to the parents to supervise their children & teach them about crossing roads not rely on someone to do it for them". -unquote.
What age children are you referring to? Do you have children? "You can take a horse to water, but you can't make it drink".
Are you suggesting that we abandon those children who are vulnerable; those children not so lucky as yours (assuming you have any) -whose parents are not as responsible as you. Not all parents are 'good' parents; that's why the State steps in to protect them -in various areas of social policy, where situations dictate they do.
Some kids are left to fend for themselves -for various reasons; one being their parent/s are out at work and not always able to get a neighbour/relative to escort them home from school.
Regarding 'adults' being 'crossed by the Wardens' -I do agree with you on that point. Are you going to write to the 'powers that be' -those employed to supervise the Traffic Wardens and voice your complaints to them re the latter issue?”
by kcssia940
Saturday, February 09 2013, 10:09PM
“Whilst I think that the crossing wardens do a good job, the thing I object to is why they help the grown-ups cross the road. Also why are they employed on crossings with traffic lights. It's up to the parents to supervise their children & teach them about crossing roads not rely on someone to do it for them. Older children should know better & half the time don,t use crossings anyway just to cross whenever they feel like it. People get a little annoyed with the wardens when they stop the traffic for every one child that gets to them instead of waiting until a few children have arrived, this is what causes the traffic holdups at school start/finish periods. Yes there are some very ignorant drivers out there who think that they can do what they want.”
by Backdoored
Saturday, February 09 2013, 10:02AM
“Report:- "However, lollipop patrols at crossings near to St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, in Trent Vale;" -Sentinel.
I don't know about the other schools mentioned, but the one above I do know to have a 'Pelican-Crossing' -And the fact that although the children can 'press a button' to stop the traffic for them to 'cross safely' -a 'Lollipop Lady' is still very necessary owing to the impetuous nature of young children -And we've all been there... we've all been impetuous children -Even you.
Yes YOU -the bullying motorist whose own life was PROTECTED by Lollipop Ladies (or men) when you yourself were a child. Think on.
If this gets a red arrow/s -then we know who's given it a red -don't we. Someone who's from that minority of drivers who bully their way around our roads (usually using their mobiles too -and often women.. -bullies come from both genders -I have observed)... The bullying women drivers are the ones that park outside our schools on double yellows and zig-zag lines.
Now let's see how the vote goes... will the greens outnumber the reds -obliterate them off the screen? Or .... will we have to call on the Lollipop Ladies to help out and step out and hold theIr sign high in the air -to force a 'GREEN FOR THE KIDS' -and a RED FOR THE BULLIES..."STOP"”