Security of girls and of their property

What provisions should I make for my daughter’s journey to and from school?

We ask parents at the beginning of each year to provide details of their daughter’s usual journeys to and from school. We strongly advise girls to keep to the main streets and, between Brook Green and Hammersmith Road, to use Rowan Road or Shepherd’s Bush Road. They should walk in groups whenever possible.

Is it safe for my daughter to cycle to school?

We recommend that all girls riding bicycles take the cycling proficiency test and to also wear fluorescent markings and a helmet. Bicycles must be kept in good repair and should be padlocked while in school. Girls should not ride their bicycles in the school grounds.

What provisions are made for the security of money and valuables?

Each girl is allocated a lockers. To safeguard her belongings, every girl should have a padlock with two keys (unless combination locks are used). Spare keys should be given to her tutor for safekeeping. The school’s insurance does not cover any of the girls’ personal possessions. So far as is permitted by law, the school accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage to girls’ personal property, however caused. We advise parents to make provision on their insurance cover for any valuables which must be brought to school, e.g. musical instruments and bicycles. Any valuable items found as lost property, or any items confiscated for inappropriate use, are logged and stored in a locked cupboard in the school office.

We recommend that girls do not carry large sums of money to school, merely that needed for the normal expenses of the day. She should keep this on her person at all times if possible. Should it be necessary for a girl to come to school with more money than usual, we ask her to leave the cash in the school office where it can be locked up under supervision.

Why does St Paul's confiscate unattended bags?

Confiscation of a bag is a practical demonstration of the vulnerability of a girl's possessions are if they are left unattended. A bag which a teacher can remove is a bag which a thief might remove. Confiscated bags are stored under supervision in the school office and logged. Pupils may only retrieve them at 4 pm and are asked to sign to say that they have taken the bag.

Can my daughter use her mobile phone at St Paul's?

We have a relaxed attitude to the use of mobile phones and MP3 players. Girls can use them out of lessons and occasionally in lessons with the permission of their teacher (for example using an internet-enabled device for research). We aim to guide the girls in the appropriate use of communications as part of our anti-bullying policy. We also advise them to take great care when using their electronic devices on the way to and from school so that they do not attract the attention of muggers or make themselves unable to hear traffic.

Have you any advice for parents about girls' safety online?

We cover this topic several times in the girls' PHSE programme. Here is also a slideshow designed to help parents ensure their daughter's safety while using social networking sites. If you need more specific advice, please do not hesitate to contact your daughter's form tutor who will put you in touch with Jane Porter, our director of ICT.