To expect school to have a blue badge space for parents?

[Dhalandchips]

My Ds is starting secondary school in September. He has a few transition days coming up soon and I'm expected to take him and collect him from reception. I am disabled and the nearest parking spaces are quite a distance away. Usually I can manage on crutches for short distances but this means I will have to get my wheelchair out and faff about. It's irritating that there's nowhere closer to park. There is space but of course at pick up/drop off times it's chaos. AIBU to ask school to paint a yellow box for BB holders (I'm sure I'm can't be the only disabled parent) I think I've made sense!

2 at my boy’s primary school in the staff car park and 2 in the community car park next door. Unfortunately (ab)used by all

Ds3 (11) has just done 3 transition days at secondary. He walked there and back each day as he will have to after the summer. I didn't go anywhere near the school. Surely you can just drop him for these days. I think you should ask about a space in the staff car park for concerts, parents evening etc.

If it is a LA school it might be worth an email to them asking about access provision for the disabled. I can’t believe a school with a car park doesn’t have any disabled bays in it. Of course they might be full when you get there anyway.

Ds primary school has one disabled space in the car park. However like the vast majority of School car parks it is chaos during school hours because people have no choice but to park blocking each other in so I only use it when ds is having a very bad day!

Yes, I'll email the council. Although it's an academy, does that make a difference? (I don't really understand the whole academy thing)

thought you had to meet and drop him at reception?

She means the school reception. He's in High School.

Totally agree with SumerisIcumenin - request for BB parking space for your own benefit and also future parents and children.

I'm surprised there isn't a requirement in law as all schools here have at least one depending on space available.

She means the school reception. He's in High School.
Yes.......

I'm disabled and blue badge spaces should only be used for those who are actually in need of them.
By this I mean, staying in your car and doing drop off / pick up does not count.
If you need to get out of your car, then you can use a blue badge space, if you are simply dropping off your (presumably able bodied child) then no, you can park anywhere.
Also IME the car park is for staff and visitors, not 5 minute parent drop offs. The car park is not part of the education service that the school provides so I don't think there is any obligation for them to provide you with one. Also, there will be a lot of parents and pupils who may need a blue badge space, I doubt they can make the whole car park disabled spaces as it may not be big enough?

If ds is not disabled can he not walk to the car after all he will be in high school just tell him we’re your going to pArk

@flopsyandjim

My kids school has a lot of parent involvement. Often when you are dropping off, you're also popping in with costumes or props for the weekly assembly as they ask for parents with anything interesting on the theme that week to bring it in so they can use it. There's the big garden project so depending on time of year, people are donating bedding plants or seed potatoes and onions for growing etc. There's lots of reasons why we need to get out the car and not just drop the kids and run. The disabled parents shouldn't be put off getting involved simply because there is no where for them to park close enough. Our school has one stretch of the drive/drop off zone for disabled and it works really well.

Most children starting secondary school would be mortified if their Mum got out of the car to come and meet them 😱

Obviously if there is a need for a disabled parking space then that needs to be addressed but, unless your son has additional needs, then there's absolutely no need for you to go and meet him providing he knows whereabouts you'd be parked.

My kids school has a lot of parent involvement. Often when you are dropping off, you're also popping in with costumes or props for the weekly assembly as they ask for parents with anything interesting on the theme that week to bring it in so they can use it

What kind of high school hell Ian this?

@GreenTulips

Ha! Mine are still primary. As far as I know, the high school isn't as bad!

Whenever my sons secondary school have parents eve or any event where there will be a lot more traffic (including a fireworks display annually at the leisure centre next door), they allow cars to drive in to the grounds and park on their playground. Yours may do similar.

OP re the council / academy thing it'll depend on who the landlord is, some academies are 'owned' by the LA in terms of buildings and land, some are owned by the academy Trust. I'd write to the school first and go from there. HTH.

But he isn't disabled?

So he would just come out and walk to you like every other child at secondary school? Parents don't usually go in to pick up their children, indeed parents don't usually pick up their children, walk or bus.

Why do you need to be close unless he too has a disability? He's capable at 11 to walk to the car. Go early to ensure you get a specific space. It's what I do and I have blue badges. Its not the school's problem.

Sadly, in my experience, even if there were blue badge spaces you wouldn't get to park in them.

DS's (Primary) school has two. I've never been able to park in them because people without blue badges use them if they are free. The head has sent numerous messages and letters about not using them unless you have a blue badge, but no one cares.

I've had to stop collecting my DS from school as I can't park and I can't walk. Luckily my Mum is able to at the moment, but her hours are changing soon so goodness knows what I'll do.

Is there not a disabled space in staff car park?

People need to read the thread. Yes, OP's child could walk to the car however she has said that the school are requiring her to drop off and pick up at the high school reception for the first few days.

Yes it's stupid and a pain, especially for a disabled parent and no BB spaces. It's not permanent so her ds will be able to walk to the car most days, but those days and any other school events are a problem.

No, YANBU and school should make provision for disabled people who need to access the school.

bluebird3
if you were reading, you'd also have read that the OP has decided to let her son walk to his sister's school where she shall collect him, so maybe collection from reception isn't so 'required' after all

I'm a bit confused. why are you saying you'll just park at your daughters school because it has disabled bays and he can walk there?

If he's walking to the car why can't you just park in a regular space athis school? You shouldn't take up a disabled space if you're not actually getting out of the car surely.

If you can't walk to reception from his school car park can't you just write him a note to explain he can go/leave on his own? I'm a bit baffled why you'd need to walk him in anyway at secondary school. If they take because they need to see you then YANBU to ask for somewhere closer to park.

Agree that either the council or the school should ensure blue badge provision. And once in place, support police action against any non-blue badge holder who uses the space, as probably sadly will happen.