Is a school crossing patrol a police officer?

No, they are civilians, often employed or contracted by the local council, with the authority to stop traffic at their designated crossing.

What is the 'lollipop' referred to in the informal name?

It refers to the large, round, stop sign on a pole that they hold, which resembles a giant lollipop.

Do I have to stop for a school crossing patrol?

Yes, in the UK and many Commonwealth countries, it is a legal requirement to stop when they signal, just as for traffic lights.

What is the difference between a school crossing patrol and a zebra crossing?

A zebra crossing is a type of road marking with black and white stripes. A school crossing patrol is a person who may operate at any type of crossing (zebra, pelican, or just a road) near a school.

school crossing patrol

UK/ˌskuːl ˈkrɒsɪŋ pəˈtrəʊl/US/ˌskul ˈkrɔsɪŋ pəˈtroʊl/

Formal (in official contexts, road safety); Informal (colloquial, everyday).

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A person, often wearing a reflective uniform, employed to stop traffic to allow children to cross a road safely near a school.

The official service or role responsible for ensuring child pedestrian safety at designated crossings near educational institutions, historically associated with a specific lollipop-shaped sign.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Often metonymically referred to as 'lollipop lady/man/person' in informal British English. The term refers both to the individual and the organised service.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

This term is primarily British/Commonwealth. The equivalent American role is 'crossing guard' or 'school crossing guard.' 'School crossing patrol' is rarely used in American English.

Connotations

In the UK, it carries a neutral/official connotation, with strong cultural associations of community safety and childhood. The American 'crossing guard' carries similar safety connotations but without the specific 'patrol' institutional nuance.

Frequency

High frequency in UK official communications and local news; near-zero frequency in general American English.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

lollipop ladylollipop manwear a uniformstop the traffichelp children cross

medium

local school crossing patrolretired school crossing patrolpatrol memberoperate the crossing

weak

volunteersafetyhigh-visibilityroadmorning

Grammar

Valency Patterns

The school crossing patrol [VERB: stops/halts] the traffic.Children wait for the school crossing patrol.to be/work as a school crossing patrol

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

lollipop lady/man/person (UK informal)

Neutral

crossing guard (US)crossing supervisor

Weak

road safety officertraffic warden (different role)

Vocabulary

Antonyms

jaywalkerreckless driver

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“As reliable as the lollipop lady.”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rarely used. May appear in local council tenders for safety services.

Academic

Used in studies of urban planning, child safety, or community services.

Everyday

Common in conversations among parents, in local news, and school communications.

Technical

Used in highway code documents, local government transport policy, and road safety manuals.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

The council plans to school crossing patrol the new junction from next term. (rare, informal)

American English

Not applicable.

adverb

British English

Not applicable.

American English

Not applicable.

adjective

British English

She attended the school-crossing-patrol training session.

American English

The crossing-guard training was held at the police station.

Examples

By CEFR Level

The school crossing patrol helps us cross the road.

Children should always wait for the school crossing patrol before stepping into the road.

Funding for the local school crossing patrol service has been secured after a community campaign.

The efficacy of the school crossing patrol as a deterrent to speeding motorists has been corroborated by recent traffic studies.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a SCHOOL where children CROSS the road, and a PATROL officer with a giant lollipop sign keeps them safe. 'Patrol' sounds like 'patrol' the crossing.

Conceptual Metaphor

PROTECTOR IS A HUMAN SHIELD; AUTHORITY IS A STOP SIGN.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid direct translation like 'школьный патруль перехода' which is unnatural. The Russian equivalent is usually 'дежурный на переходе у школы' or 'регулировщик у школы'. The British 'lollipop' concept has no direct equivalent.

Common Mistakes

Using 'school crossing patrol' in American English contexts.
Confusing with 'traffic warden' (who issues parking tickets).
Incorrect plural: 'school crossing patrols' (service), but individuals can be 'patrol officers' or 'patrol members'.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

In the UK, children are taught to wait for the before crossing near the school gates.

Multiple Choice

What is the most common informal British term for a school crossing patrol?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No, they are civilians, often employed or contracted by the local council, with the authority to stop traffic at their designated crossing.
: It refers to the large, round, stop sign on a pole that they hold, which resembles a giant lollipop.
: Yes, in the UK and many Commonwealth countries, it is a legal requirement to stop when they signal, just as for traffic lights.
: A zebra crossing is a type of road marking with black and white stripes. A school crossing patrol is a person who may operate at any type of crossing (zebra, pelican, or just a road) near a school.