Tattenhall Park Primary School Fence

We publish below a statement which we have just received from The Board of Governors of The Tattenhall Park Primary School regarding the erection of a 1.8m perimeter fence ....

Dear parents and local residents of Tattenhall

Thanks for your patience whilst we've been working hard to address the dilemma of our children's safety and the resulting decision to introduce a new fence. We fully appreciate that this is going to impact on both the community and our closest neighbours, as the school field has been available for the whole community to enjoy for such a long period.

You may recall in May we issued a statement outlining the requirements of OFSTED in relation to the safeguarding of the children at the school.

OFSTED clearly outlines that protecting children in the school setting is hugely important and as a school we must take all necessary measures to keep our children safe at all times. Both the school and others commented on, and were concerned about, the lack of a boundary fence and the potential mixing of school children with others using the green space.

The Board of Governors has, after extensive consultation (with CWAC officers), consideration and discussion, voted by majority, to erect a 1.8 metre, green wire mesh fence around the perimeter of the school property in order to fulfil our objectives as stated above.

Our safeguarding discussions have involved exploring numerous ways to secure the site in a sympathetic way which causes the least impact for all, but our decision has to be based on the best interests of our children.
We have endeavoured to minimise the visual impact of the fence as much as possible by installing the lowest height possible; 1.8m and, although we are looking to install a green fence to match the natural surroundings we are open to ideas/suggestions about an alternative colour.

As advised, we submitted an application to CWaC's planning department for a 'Lawful Development Certificate', to make sure that a planning application is not needed for the installation of the fence. This is on the basis that the fence would be lawful because the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 grants planning permission for schools to erect fences up to 2 metres high.

Should you have any queries relating to this process, please contact the planning department planning@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Or in writing to
Development Management, 4 Civic Way, Ellesmere Port CH65 0BE

We have also included a FAQ section on our website: Key Information – School Fence
Update, which will help to address any questions which parents and our neighbours may have regarding the proposals.

Frequently asked Questions

Why do you need to fence in the field?
The Board of Governors have decided to fence in the field and raise the height of the existing fence.
The reasons for this include:
* To safeguard pupils (this follows advice received from CWAC Safeguarding Children in Education and Health and Safety teams)
* To enable children to make full, safe use of the field throughout the school day. Wider use would be possible at lunchtimes and to enable us to adopt new initiatives such as The Daily Mile – further promoting our drive to promote healthy lifestyles for the pupils.
* Prevention of the risk posed by dog fouling which presents a health and safety risk.
* The current space which is fenced off is not of adequate size currently for the pupils and will become increasingly restricted as the school expands.

Why not just replace the current fencing?
The current fence will be replaced with 1.8m fencing and will also enclose the area in front of the Year 6 classroom. This will enable us to have classroom doors open on warm days to help ventilate the teaching spaces. Currently we have been advised against this because the existing fence is not high enough to prevent a child leaving school or someone entering the school grounds uninvited.
This poses a safeguarding risk.

How is the school managing the risk currently?
The measures that have currently been adopted have been shared with CWAC Health and Safety team and discussed at meetings of the Governing Board. We have increased the supervision on the current playground this academic year. This includes supervision along the stretch of black railings which are 1m in height. In addition, we have increased the staffing for all outside PE activities including those on the field. Prior to all activities, school staff patrol the field to ensure it is free from dog fouling and other detritus. There is also a second adult available to patrol the space to support the teaching member of staff, enabling them to teach and the children to undertake activities in a safe space. This additional support is at an on-going cost to our school budget.

Can you confirm the steps which you have taken to ensure the community members of Tattenhall have been engaged and consulted about the matter of the fence it is alleged you intend to erect?
The conversations about perimeter security have been an on-going discussion with the Governing Board throughout this academic year as well as in previous years. This year we have additionally sought advice and support from a wide range of Local Authority Officers in Planning, Safeguarding Children in Education, Health and Safety, Estates, Localities and Children's Services. Officers have also engaged with Sport England and the Department for Education as well as serving Ofsted inspectors. This has been to ensure that decisions were taken with regard to what is now current good practice and is in line with current statutory guidance, for example Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2016).We have also engaged with the Community Police Officers and the Dog Warden. This process of information gathering has taken a long period of time but was necessary to ensure that Governors were in a position to make an informed decision. Governors that sit on the Parish Council were also asked to discuss this at Parish Council meetings during the process.

What type of fence is proposed?
The type of fence is a green mesh style fence. This style was chosen based on advice from the local authority Health and Safety team. Cost was also a consideration as bow top fencing is more expensive. Mesh style fencing is also less visually obtrusive as the wire is finer than the metal rods used in bow top fencing. The green colour was selected as we felt this would blend better with the field which was to be enclosed. We will consider other colours if the community would prefer, black was also suggested for example.

Why was this not included in the planning application for the school extension?
On 27 April, we received advice that planning permission was not necessary as the fence could be erected as part of permitted development. It was requested that this be checked by the legal team and this advice was confirmed on 3/5/17. It was advised that a Lawful Development Certificate be obtained, although it was not strictly necessary. The Board of Governors agreed on 22nd May to erect a fence when a Lawful Development Certificate was obtained.

Why is the area proposed to be fenced this size?
The Governing Board has proposed many options of area to be fenced, the final area represents a compromise following discussion with CWaC, Sport England and the DfE as we requested that the paths that run from Rookery Drive (Millennium path) and the path which runs at the front of school be excluded from the fencing scheme to enable continued use and access for the local community.

How will the hedge be maintained to the gardens at the rear of the properties on Rookery Drive?
Following further consultation with CWAC Grounds Maintenance, we have been informed that it is not necessary to fence along the existing hedge line as this would make it difficult to maintain the hedges. School will continue to maintain the hedges on the field side, the height of the hedges can be maintained by the homeowner at their preferred height. This is a continuation of the existing arrangement.

How will the community be able to access the area if it is fenced?
The main focus for discussion with the local community and the Parish Council will be how to facilitate access out of school hours whilst also maintaining the area is free of dog foul and also any damage to the school property.