It’s a shame children don’t come with a book of instructions – we, on the other hand, are blessed (having lived a while) with a certain amount of common sense.

This has to be nurtured, otherwise it can fly out of the window.

Drivers shouldn’t have to be reminded by headteachers and the police not to park near school gates, double-park or park on zig-zag lines.

Young children are unpredictable little monkeys, and when they rush out en masse to go home, they are excited, shout, scream, rush about and often show off, shunning their mum’s waiting hand. They can go anywhere, which is dangerous.

Parents shouldn’t need to be told not to tie up their dogs too close to the gateway.

These animals don’t always agree with one another in close proximity, so there could be a skirmish.

They, in turn, are excited to see the return of their young owners and will want to jump up to greet them.

But with the hordes coming out of school, they may well mistakenly jump up to the wrong child and cause unnecessary panic.

It only needs a little extra thought to keep everyone safe.

Joan Archer, Rusper Road South, Worthing