Questions and Answers 28th November 2007
Questions and Answers – Parents’ Forum 28.11.07 1. Parking: The issue of parents parking on the zig-zag lines outside school. It is dangerous for every child, parent and teacher, to say nothing of passers-by. What will be done about it? Answer: This is a difficult question. The school's jurisdiction ends at the front gate. The road and pavement are public property and we can have no control over them. I have asked parents to cease parking on the zig-zags and have pointed out the obvious dangers of doing so. I hope parents will cease this activity. I shall place another reminder in the next Newsletter and hope that this has some effect. 2. Are there plans to have school lunches, possibly brought in by outside caterers in the future? Answer: I have looked into this and will do so again when I have a chance to talk the point over with other prep school heads. It appears to be a more expensive activity than many might think. A Pinner school is seriously considering not renewing their 'Caterhouse' contract. The service began well but has tailed off dismally in the past few months. Other schools have reported similar findings. 3. Zebra Crossing or a Lollipop Person? Answer: We all recognise the dangers of our road - a bus every two and a half minutes during the day and parking on both sides in a road that is far from wide. I have spoken with Brent Traffic who were far from helpful but they explained their difficulty. A zebra crossing is only placed at points where there have been very serious or fatal accidents. The only other places given consideration need what is virtually an Act of Parliament to sanction them. The authority has a certain amount of money each year and prioritizes state schools. I shall look into Lollipop possibilities but believe it is only state schools that benefit from this service. 4. Refurbishment at the school? What may this entail? Answer: There are no plans to increase the size of the school. It is hoped that we can improve facilities starting with the boys' lavatories in the holidays. The cloakroom is another area for improvement. I have given details of what needs to be done to Central Office and they have assured me that these items will be addressed. 5. Sibling Discount - Buxlow parents have been offered discounts. Will this happen to us? Answer: I have been told that we will possibly be offered sibling discount but I cannot assure you if or when this will happen. 6. Would the new directors consider placing musical instrument / Speech and Drama outside of the school day so that children attending such lessons do not miss their class time? Answer: The school offers 18 hours of instrument tuition each week in addition to the 6 hours of Speech and Drama. It would be virtually impossible to organise 24 hours of out-of-hours tuition. It is however very easy for parents to decide to have their child tutored in any musical area outside of school at weekends or in the holidays. Children who learn an instrument do not lose out. Having worked for 9 years in major music schools I can assure you that the intensity of learning to play an instrument tends to improve performance in academic lessons rather than lead to children falling behind. 7. Would a representative from the Directors participate at future Forums? Answer: I shall ask Mrs Tracey Storey, our Managing Director, if she or another director will consider doing so. I will post her response when I have it. 8. What is the future of St Christopher's now that it is under new ownership? Answer: I have not been told that the future of St Christopher's is to differ in any way. I have been assured that the future holds greater investment and an improvement in facilities. 9. A School Minibus? Answer: This is being considered. The situation at present is that we often need a larger vehicle - to take us to the games field etc. If it is considered financially sensible a school minibus is indeed an option. 10. More school trips? Answer: At present we organise about 3 trips a year for each Year Group. Additional trips may be organised if thought useful. Any additional trips would mean greater expense for parents as parents pay for all trips in addition to their school fees. We feel it our duty to minimise parental expenses. If there is anything you would like discussed at the next Friends Committee Meeting, please see your form representative.