CONCERNS have been raised over the safety of youngsters travelling to and from school in Hartford. 

As of Monday, November 25, leaders at Hartford CE High School decided to lock a pedestrian gate from Stones Manor Lane onto the playing field shared by a number of neighbouring primary and secondary schools. 

Hartford High head teacher, Rachel Pickerill, said the decision was taken due to ‘safeguarding concerns’.

However, some pupils at the neighbouring St Nicholas Catholic High, who use the route regularly, are finding their usual way into school cut off. 

The shortest alternative, according to one St Nicholas' year seven pupil’s mum, Lyndsey Smith, is through a wooded part of Marshall’s Arm Local Nature Reserve, which she says puts these youngsters ‘at risk’.

Lyndsey called the Hartford High leadership team's decision ‘selfish’, adding it was taken without warning or consultation with potentially affected families.

She added: “Parents received a letter on Friday telling us the gate would be closed from Monday morning (November 25). 

“The head teacher at Hartford High has reportedly done this for safeguarding reasons, but in doing so, she has put pupils from her neighbouring high school at risk.

“It seems the head teacher at Hartford High has not taken into account the safety of St Nicholas' pupils at all. 

“My daughter, who is only in year seven, will now have to walk through the wooded area at Marshall's Arm, rather than through an open field.

“As far as I know, the gate is not the sole property of Hartford High School.

“Parents have already contacted CWAC to report this issue.

“We feel it is a selfish decision which has been implemented without any consultation with the families affected."

Mrs Pickerill said those school’s with pupils who could be affected by the loss of access have been informed, along with Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) education officials. 

However, Craig Burns, head teacher at St Nicholas’, said he’s ‘awaiting a date’ for a meeting with Hartford High leaders so the matter can be ‘resolved’ as a matter of urgency.

Hartford High head teacher, Rachel Pickerill, said: “Hartford CE High School takes the safeguarding of all students, including those educated in other local schools, extremely seriously.  

“Due to safeguarding concerns, which St Nicholas RC High School, St Wilfrid's RC Primary School, Hartford Manor Primary School, and the local authority are aware of, the decision has been made to lock the pedestrian gate onto the school playing fields at the end of Stones Manor Lane.”  

St Nicholas’ head teacher, Craig Burns, said: “St Nicholas and St Wilfrid's are currently awaiting a date to meet with the other school (Hartford High) so we can agree a way forward for our students and their families. 

“We are keen to resolve matters as quickly as possible.”