Hi,

When i collect my children from school, i have to drive my car onto the school site and have been doing this for 2 1/2 years. i gained permission from the headteacher at the time. There is nowhere to park near the school at all. This afternoon a newsletter came out and the following was in it 'Last night after school the situation was particularly chaotic with some parents (you know who you are!) attempting to leave the car park whilst children were milling around, coupled with the near gridlock situation on High Street, this really was an accident waiting to happen. For this reason I have performed a thorough risk assessment and consulted County Hall who have advised me that the school gates should be closed for a 30 minute period between 2.45pm and 3.15pm Now i am the only parent who normally goes into school and (apart from being the chair of the governors safety committee and didn't know about this) feel particulary got at.

I rang the head, and she wants me to be in the grounds by 2.45 and not leave until 3.15 which will mean leaving work 1/2 hour earlier every day and that as my children have dance lessons twice a week at 3.30 and leaving at 3.05 means we only just make them so therefore i will have to cancel them. I explained i didn't think it was fair and the head was very curt with me and evenutually hung up. She says she will discuss this on monday - when the new restrictions start.

I feel really got at, upset and annoyed.
i don't think its fair to expect me to have to leave my job earlier, or for my kids to miss out on dance classes because of this.

am i being unreasonable?

Jane

Hi,

I personally think you would have a case under the Disability Discrimination Act, as they are making the school premises inaccessible to you.

It might be worth checking out the following: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople...cess/DG_4018353

As it is not you who is attending the school, it may be a grey area, but if the school is a community college, then I think that makes a difference.

Let us know how you get on.

Simon

No, you are not being unreasonable.
A glass eye in a ducks ass could see this is a special circumstance that requires some type of special dispensation.
Tell the "head" you really wish you could see things from her point of view, It's just that you can't seem to get your head that far up your.......
E

That is really sad and difficult. I think the school should be more accomodating, and you should take it further. Also I would try papers and radio, ask for help and suggestion, and see what comes up.
Perhaps the headmistress herself, could come up with some suitable suggestions.
Cate

thanks for your replies. i have the added problem that the head is a friend!. i am supposed to be having a working lunch with her and my boss on monday - so i hopefuly will be able to discuss it then. my boss will act as intermediary i think - although he agrees with me.

what makes me more anoyed is that the school is in the process of adopting their disability equality policy and it includes disabled parents.

Hi Jane. Have you managed to suss the parking at school now. you say the head is a ''friend''
O my l wonder how your enemy's would behave.
Cate

I would show a copy of the link Simon showed you to the school and hint at possible legal action. Every city will have a Commission on Human Rights. I contacted them because my city refuessed to put curb cuts in. They took the lead and had a specialist in disability law go after them. A little pushing and now they see the light (ramp).