Purpose of safe entry and exit procedures

Safe entry and exit arrangements help schools:

• reduce congestion and unsafe behaviour around school gates
• support predictable routines for students, families and staff
• minimise risks associated with vehicle movement
• align with duty of care and supervision responsibilities.

Schools can support safe and orderly movement around the school through measures that:

• review entry and exit points and pedestrian flow.
• provide clearly identified areas for pedestrians, buses, cyclists and pick-up/drop-off activities where appropriate.
• use signage, numbering or colour coding to identify entry and exit points.
• distribute arrivals and departures across multiple access points where possible.

Key considerations for principals

When planning or adjusting entry and exit arrangements, it can be helpful to consider risks such as:

• staff working near moving vehicles — ensuring staff are positioned safely and not directing traffic
• slips, trips and falls — uneven surfaces, wet weather, or cluttered pathways
• manual handling of bags and equipment — avoiding lifting or reaching into vehicles
• assisting students into vehicles — maintaining safe body positioning and avoiding stepping onto the roadway
• visibility in poor weather — reduced visibility for drivers and staff
• seatbelt responsibilities — ensuring staff do not take on duties that place them inside vehicles
• staff absences — ensuring safe coverage and avoiding ad‑hoc arrangements

Supervision

Effective supervision during arrival and departure typically includes:

• supervision is active, visible and positioned to monitor student movement
• staff understand their role and remain within designated safe zones
• supervision arrangements are documented and communicated to all staff
• procedures are adjusted when risks increase (e.g., wet weather, construction, events)

Managing pick‑up and drop‑off zones

Schools can support safe and orderly movement around the school through measures that:

• establish clear separation between pedestrian and vehicle areas
• use signage and markings to guide families and visitors
• ensure students wait in supervised areas until collected
• discourage unsafe behaviours such as double-parking or U-turns
• work with local councils or traffic authorities where appropriate.

Communicate with families

Clear consistent communication helps families understand expectations and supports safer behaviour. Schools may:

• provide regular reminders about safe pick‑up and drop‑off practices
• explain any changes to procedures in advance
• encourage families to model safe road‑user behaviour.

Assisting students entering or exiting vehicles

Some schools choose to assist students getting into or out of vehicles to help manage traffic flow. Where this approach is used, it’s important that:

• risks have been assessed and controls are in place
• staff remain outside vehicles and do not take on seatbelt duties
• staff are trained in safe positioning and manual handling if needed
• arrangements when supervising staff are absent.

Assisting students to cross roads

School staff, volunteers and parents must not stop traffic or perform the duties of a School Crossing Supervisor.

Only the following people are authorised to stop traffic in NSW:

• NSW Police officers
• authorised traffic controllers
• School Crossing Supervisors.

Supervision considerations:

• wear a high-visibility vest
• use a safe crossing location
• cross students in manageable groups
• ensure students waiting to cross remain in a safe location
• use the "Stop, Look, Listen and Think" process
• hold the hands of young children where appropriate.