School Crossing Patrols

School Crossing Patrols are employed to provide safe crossing locations to and from school.

Recruitment

We are always looking to recruit new School Crossing Patrols. We currently have the following vacancies:

Bridport, Sea Road North
Charminster, North Street
Dorchester, Bridport Road, Whitfield Road
Dorchester, Damers Road
Verwood, Ringwood Road/Hillside Road
Stoborough, Corfe Road

If you are interesting in becoming a patrol, please submit your details using the online form (opens in a new window) or contact the Road Safety team.

About the School Crossing Patrol service

Dorset currently funds 52 School Crossing Patrol sites and a further 5 sites are funded by local community sponsorship. We employ 52 permanent patrols and 15 relief patrols. Relief patrols provide cover for the permanent patrols at times of sickness or emergency absence.

School Crossing Patrols only operate during school term times and enjoy the same holidays as school children.

School Crossing Patrol guidelines are available on request. Please contact the Road Safety Team to request a copy.

Sites

For a list of sites where our School Crossing Patrols operate, see School Crossing Patrol sites by school (pdf, 16kb) (opens in a new window) .

Criteria

Any request for a new School Crossing Patrol location should be made in writing by the local school. Once a request is received, the appropriate road safety officer will conduct a survey at the requested site. The survey records the number of vehicles and pedestrians crossing during the busiest 30 minute period. The survey will determine whether the site meets with the national criteria adopted by Dorset County Council.

This criteria uses a formula of PV²

Formula:

P = (Children crossing) x v^{2 = (Number of vehicles squared)}

Example:

50 children x (300 X 300) = 4,500,000

The national criteria adopted by Dorset County Council for the count is a minimum of 4 million for a school crossing patrol to be instated.

The law

Drivers should be aware that School Crossing Patrols have legal powers. Failure to stop for a School Crossing Patrol is an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1984. Drivers can face a £1,000 fine, 3 penalty points on their licence and possible disqualification for non-compliance.

The law changed in 2001 and gave School Crossing Patrols the power to help anyone across the road, not just children.

Frequently asked questions

What is a school crossing patrol (SCP)?

A school crossing patrol is a person employed to provide a safe crossing facility to and from school.

Criteria - What is the criteria for the establishment of a SCP?

Dorset County Council adopts a national criteria which is a calculation based on the number of vehicles passing the crossing point combined with the number of children crossing during the busiest 30 minute period. Additional factors can also be considered such as visibility, width of road and vehicle speeds.

Criteria - What happens if it is not met?

If the criteria is not fully met, the local community will be offered the opportunity to provide funding towards the cost of a patrol. For full details, contact the Road Safety Education, Training and Publicity Team.

Requesting a new SCP

Requests for a SCP should be directed through the local school.

Who are the SCP's legally permitted to cross?

SCPs are able to cross anyone, child or adult, during their duty.

Becoming a SCP

For more information please see the recruitment section of this page.

Pay

The current starting pay is £6.30 per hour. Despite only working during school term times, your pay will be calculated over 12 equal months and includes holiday pay.

Name: Road Safety Education, Training and Publicity (ETP)
Email: roadsafety@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Tel: 01305 224558
Full details for Road Safety Education, Training and Publicity (ETP)

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