PUPILS are getting tough with parents who park inconsiderately and cause a hazard to children being dropped off and picked up at Burford School.

Elected representatives from Year Six are carrying out random patrols before and after school with Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Adam Shaw to discourage parents from causing obstructions outside the school.

The patrols began last week and will continue for six weeks. Among the worst offences are people double parking, parking on corners and parking on the zig zag markings at the entrance to the school drive in Marlow Bottom Road.

Headteacher Karol Whittington said: "The patrols seem to be working very well so far nobody has been aggressive and the parents have been very supportive.

"The problem is parents dropping off further up the road. They double park and leave very little room for traffic to get through. The kids get out and cross wherever they happen to be, rather than walking down to the crossing patroller.

"We are worried that drivers won't see children stepping out from behind a car and we need everyone's help to make sure our children get picked up and dropped off safely."

Mrs Whittington urged parents to remind pupils only to cross with the crossing patroller Barry Simms.

PCSO Adam Shaw said: "The school has a team of nominated pupils who act as the Junior Road Safety Officers (JRSO), and are issued with high vis-jackets. They approach anyone who has parked on the zig-zags, and tell them they are making it dangerous for the school's pupils.

"If someone does re-offend, they will first receive an official warning from me, and then if they are found parking there for a third time I will be issuing a fixed penalty notice for £30," he added.

The JRSO scheme is a Buckinghamshire County Council initiative, and PCSOs across the BCU are assisting schools and pupils where schemes are in place.

The JRSO scheme has run successfully in Buckinghamshire schools across the county for four years. This addition to their job description has proved very effective at raising awareness to the dangers of parking outside the school gate.