More than 1,000 people put their names to a petition calling for better traffic calming measures outside a school where a pupil was knocked down and hospitalised.

Parents from both the Bookside Infant and Junior schools, in Dagnam Park Drive, Harold Hill, presented the document to the last full Havering council meeting of the current term.

Headteacher Adrian McNeillis said: “The child involved is now at home making slow but positive progress and the school is supporting her and the family by providing counselling support, replacement uniform.

“The parents of the school held a fundraising raffle to raise money to provide financial support for the family, who have been unable to work since the accident, as they have been hospital visiting and caring for their daughter at home.”

Super-head Adrian, who had been drafted in to improve the school’s inadequate Ofsted rating, had urged the council to take urgent action “before the next accident becomes a fatality” following the collision between a car and the year 5 girl, who suffered head injuries and a broken arm.

Adrian and parents are calling for the introduction of a lollipop person to a nearby zebra crossing and a reduction of the speed limit outside the school from 30mph to 20mph.

Adrian said: “[The] accident was something waiting to happen. The risk will increase as we approach summer and pupils cross the road to the park and its play equipment and skatepark.

“There are currently no warning signs on display either side of the school. This is the only section of Dagnam Park Drive not regulated by speed bumps.”

But Cllr Robert Benham, cabinet member for community empowerment, said: “The road has a zebra crossing and speed bumps in place, as well as road signs to warn motorists that there is a school on that road and that they should be driving carefully.”

Adrian is also tasked with facilitating the school’s transfer to academy status in conjunction with Drapers’ Academy.