School parking, what works?

[Roguebludger]

Are there any schools out there that have really good solutions for school parking issues? Are there any initiatives that have successfully reduced the amount of parents that drive or helped improve considerate parking? I would love to help my children's school improve on what is a dangerous time of day and examples of good practice are much appreciated!

Yes our school sounds similar - they had it down to a science. Quite a long space for the drop/off pick up so about 8 cars maybe at a time could be parked within the one way system and then down the road. Different coloured signs for your car window with your kid’s name on, which corresponded to various year groups. Teachers with walkie talkies going up and down the line would look at the names and then child was escorted or directed to car depending on age. No parents allowed to exit car and kids only allowed to get in car on pavement side.

Only allowed to enter and leave the school via a way that didn’t block the whole road up (ie right turns only as it’s US) and the teachers enforced it.

Meanwhile the school buses and the kids on foot went out a different gate so were away from the majority of the traffic. Very strict rules about not walking anywhere near the pick up lane. Afterschool club was on premises so that presumably reduced pick up numbers too.

When my sister lived in the USA she used to drive up to the school door, the kids got out and went straight in.
At pick up time, she drove to the gate, gave her name, that person radioed to the school the kids names, she then drove on to the door and her kids were there and got straight in the car.
Worked really well but I appreciate that most UK schools would not have the space (driveway) available to do this.

Our primary has a huge car park and loads of free on street parking within a 5-8 minute walk from the school, doesnt stop everyone parking on the double yellow lines and zig zags to be within 20 feet of the school gates.

The only thing I can think of, is a system like American schools have. A one way drive in, drop off and drive out system. Teachers there to collect the children and direct them into class/playground and a timed length of time to stay. As in minutes, just long enough for the kids to exit..

But schools here will never accept that, nor be set up for it.

There is drive thru system at my DC’s independent school, it works amazingly.

There is no way the local state schools could do this due to layout and infrastructure. It would be worthwhile if it was designed into new schools.

My DC’s school has an actual full size car park…that helps 🤣🤣(separate from the teachers car park!)