A valuable and rewarding role for people of all ages
School crossing patrols were first introduced following the School Crossing Patrol Act 1953, with the first patrols going on duty in 1954. This was founded because it was believed that society should give additional help to the safety of children walking to and from school. Since then patrols have become a familiar and integral part of the journey to school for many children.
The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 gives councils the power to provide a school crossing patrol service. It also gives patrols the power to stop traffic to cross pedestrians. Until 2000, school crossing patrols could only cross children on their way to and from school. However, a change in the law now means that they can stop traffic to cross any pedestrian. Traffic has increased enormously since the 1950s and today's patrols have to deal with very different road and traffic conditions.
As we move into the 21st century, society is beginning to realise that the traffic levels are not sustainable and that a return to walking, particularly on the school journey, is good for both the environment and health. By walking, a child's understanding and experience of using the road is also slowly developed under the care and protection of parents. This new direction makes the role of the school crossing patrol even more important in society.
Communities, parents and children in North Lincolnshire value this service greatly. Although drivers and other members of the public sometimes think little of patrols, it is only when they are not on duty that people realise how much they are worth.
These days, the safety of the patrols themselves is taken more seriously than ever. The uniform and sign are designed to the highest specification laid down by the Government for visibility.
Good supervision and codes of practice make sure that the safest methods of working are carried out.
Today's crossing patrols are better equipped to carry out the job than ever before. They are trained in the operation of the school crossing patrol point, but also in issues such as dealing with aggression.
Currently there are 61 patrol points throughout North Lincolnshire, but the majority are centred in the Scunthorpe and Bottesford area.
North Lincolnshire Council is no exception to most other councils throughout the country in looking for new people for both regular work and to cover for absence.
How do we decide where to place a school crossing patrol?
School crossing patrols are at places where children are in danger from traffic when crossing roads on their way to and from school. The site needs to reach a certain criteria. This involves the number of children wanting to cross the road, the amount of traffic passing and a number of other things about the road and area around the site. Patrols can be anywhere on a route to school and may serve children from more than one school.
Anyone can request a new patrol. If you think that a new patrol site is needed please contact the Road Safety team on 01724 297463 or email: roadsafety@northlincs.go.uk. We will carry out a survey to find out if a patrol is justified.
Interested in working as a school crossing patrol?
Pay: £6.08 to £6.37 per hour
Hours vary depending on the site - between five and eight and a half hours per week, term time only.
Current vacancies:
Scunthorpe
- Scotter Road/Brumby Wood Lane (five hours per week)
- Queensway near the flats, towards Morrison's (five hours per week)
- Frodingham Road, on the zebra crossing (five hours 50 mins per week)
Belton
- High Street, outside Belton Primary School (five hours 25 mins.per week)
Scawby
- West Street, outside Scawby Primary School (five hours per week)
Stand-by patrols work when required, on any one of several points within a zone. They are guaranteed one hour's pay per week.
A mobile patrol will be paid "travelling time" to and from the site where they are working (as well as mileage and one hour retainer),which could be on any site throughout North Lincolnshire.
School crossing patrols in North Lincolnshire work a minimum of five hours per week and a maximum of eight and a half hours per week depending on the site.
Other benefits include:
- Access to the council's pension scheme
- Access to the health scheme
- Uniform for winter and summer
- Regular newsletters
- Training seminars
- Union membership available
- £100 bonus paid annually - for patrols who have worked for one full year at the end of July and are still working as a patrol in the November of that year.
Please contact the Road Safety team on 01724 297463 to discuss being a school crossing patrol. Also for more details of vacancies.
You can also download an application form from this website.
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