A primary school wants to increase the height of its playground fence after a child managed to climb over the existing one.
Palatine Primary School in Goring, which teaches children with special needs, has applied for planning permission for a 2.4m high fence next to its sensory garden.
The application says it’s needed after a pupil climbed into a neighbour’s garden and got onto the public highway – although the school says they did not get as far as the road.
The application, made on the school’s behalf by West Sussex County Council, says: “The purpose of this is to provide a secure site for the protection of pupils at the school, who have special educational needs.
“The breach in fencing was highlighted when a pupil climbed over the neighbours fence, through their garden and onto the public highway.
“Pupils at the school are likely not to have any awareness of the dangers this presents and therefore represents a serious risk to pupil safety whilst attending the school.
“Temporary measures have been implemented following this incident, but this means that pupils are unable to access the memorial/sensory garden adjacent to this area.”
A high security fence currently runs around most of the school site, but there is a stretch of 22m where only the neighbour’s 1.9m high fence stands.
The sensory garden also has many trees planted in memory of previous students who have passed away.
The application says the fence will be installed by hand and in a way that disruption to the roots of neighbouring trees will be minimised.
One bay tree, which is not a memorial tree, will have to be removed, but two saplings will be planted elsewhere.
If approved, the works would take place during the Easter or summer break.
A spokesperson for the school said: “Palatine is a values lead school that places children at the heart of everything.
“We have robust safeguarding policies and procedures in place and their safety, wellbeing and happiness are our main priorities.
“Currently, we have a planning application in process for additional fencing for a small section of our perimeter.”
Adur and Worthing Councils have until 18 April to make its decision.
