DS starts secondary school this September, and he'll have to take a bus

[ChickensGoMeh]

So what, you say? Well, we currently live a five minute walk from primary school and I walk him and DS2 down. DS shows no interest in walking himself/walking with friends. It's a safe route. Both possible secondary schools are over 2 miles away, and involve crossing a dual carriageway. So walking not really an option. Both schools run buses for students. There will be no problem getting DS a place on the bus. But I am hand wringing and fretting about him getting himself to school. He'll have a five minute walk to the bus stop, then the bus will take him directly to school and back again. I am scared that a big child will eat him So if your DC take a bus to school, can you reassure me that a) they're more than capable at 11 (er, nearly 12 actually) and b) Year 11's don't really eat Year 7's. Thanks muchly

[AmberLeaf]

He'll be fine.

Maybe an idea to untie the apron strings have some practice runs in the months before he starts.

I understand, I was the same with my DS before he started.

[AllPastYears]

He'll be fine. At age 11, after being taken by DM to primary school every day, I had to get 2 buses 7 miles across town. I loved it, and loved the freedom of not having DM watching my every move for once.

[senua]

Aw, bless.
He will be fine.
DD's school was a bit of a trot away and involved a scary dual carriageway => she got a free bus pass. Is yours free too?

[MidnightHag]

Are there any other kids who live nearby travelling to the same school. Maybe you could arrange with other parents that they travel in a pair (even if they're not best buds) or is there an older child who can "keep an eye" on him.

It will be fine, but I understand your concerns....best not to let DS know how you're feeling.

[ChickensGoMeh]

We don't live far enough away to get a free bus pass, but we expected that so not a problem. I think I'm more worried than he is, tbh

[MidnightHag]

Apologies: I seem to have forgotten about question marks.

[LieInsAreRarerThanTigers]

Dd is very envious of her friends who get the school bus, some from much more than 2 miles away, while she has to schlep for a mile in all weathers! Her bus friends are very happy too. I am sure he will be fine and you will start to enjoy his independence in some ways too.

[sandyballs]

Can't him and a friend practice the bus route between now and september, or maybe get a bus into town for an hour or so, to get used to it all. My DDs start secondary in Sept and I'm gradually letting them do more and more now in preparation for it.

[senua]

chickens Have you checked with the neighbours?
We were less than the statutory distance for free travel but qualified because of the scary dual carriageway.

[Mrsrobertduvall]

Definitely get him doing the bus route.
And stop worrying...you will pass your apprehensions onto him. [stern look]

[ChickensGoMeh]

You're all right, and thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately, we're moving before the school term, so he won't know anyone to go with initially (although I'm hoping that will change quite quickly). The bus route will hopefully be school only, so I can't let him trial run it exactly. I suppose I could let him take a couple of short bus trips in the mean time, just so he gets used to travelling by himself I can't check with the neighbours yet senua, as the houses aren't built , but I will contact the council and find out about the bus pass situation. And thanks, vipers, for not pointing and laughing at the over protective MNer weeping in to her apron

[OlympicEater]

Look out for a friendly looking older child wearing the uniform once you know which of the two schools they are going to. Accost them and offer then a tenner to keep an eye on him for the first few weeks which is not what I did when DS started

[Theas18]

It'll be fine!

Learn the etiquette if it's an all years designated school bus- which is probably new kids don't sit upstairs or on the back row downstairs. Apart from that I'm sure it'll be noisy but fine.

I get what all the posters are saying about practice the route first but if I understand correctly you wont have a chance- it's a school bus not a public one- which makes it easier actually- get on at your stop and get off at school. Job done.

Mine all get a normal public bus service and never have any issues really beyond those of public transport generally (sometimes on the way home it doesn't stop or is full/late especially when the weather is bad). Also the "big trauma" (that actually wasn't at all, when DD1 was year 7 the bus was stopped by police due to a crash some cars in front and they were all put off on the road side "and we don't know where"- actually they did know (grammar school girls can read road signs if they think hard!!) and someones dad fetched them.

[GypsyMoth]

Ours are bused to middle school 4 miles away..... From year 5!!

So this wouldn't even be an issue for us

[joencaitlinsmum]

My DS who is autistic and has major anxiety issues has been getting the school bus since September without any problems. We practised walking the route to the bus stop a couple of times with him then he did it a couple of times by himself to get the timings right, we offered to get the public bus on a similar route with him before hand but he declined that offer and just did it all by himself. They soon learn the routine, its not all sweet though I have to turn the other cheek when DS tells me what the older boys get up to on the bus at times but he hasnt been eatern yet

[remum]

My DD started her secondary school last September. She is teeny tiny - smallest in the year. After the first day she asked if she could go on the bus on her own- public red bus through central London - I gulped but decided as she was keen I should let her go. We haven't looked back since! I do walk her to the stop at the moment as it is dark when she leaves but only because I get a bit of time on my own with her - she doesn't care at all! You will be amazed at how grown up they become so quickly!

[snowball3]

We have 4 year olds who come to school on their own in a taxi ( obviously not driving!) and others from year 1 to year 6 who use the minibus. we also have children who live practically next door to school who then have to take a 6 mile bus ride to secondary, Children are very adaptable and they all seem to manage fine and no-one has been eaten yet, I'm sure your son will be fine too!

[ptangyangkipperbang]

You'll be amazed how much children grow up over the summer between Years 6 and 7. I'd get him used to getting a bus, even if it's a different journey to the school one. DS2 didn't know how to ask for a ticket or that he always needed to show his half fare pass. It will be fine but I remember that feeling that they're too small to manage - by September he'll be ready for it!

[BellaVita]

For a start, you need to tell him he needs to walk the last few months to primary himself. Make him set off 5 mins before you.

Both my boys yr7 and yr10 get the school bus - no problems whatsoever. I would suspect that either a couple of yr11's or 6th formers will be monitors on the bus.

At their school... The yr7's get hedged in their firdt few weeks... Their school is in blocks and have to go from one to the other during the day.

Oh yes...mustn't forget about the "birthday thumps".. One for every year from each of their friends... Expect big bruises on their arms.

[roisin]

I worried about ds1 taking the bus; mainly about what he would do if something unusual happened - if the bus didn't come, or was late, or if he lost his ticket, or money, or whatever.

In actual fact he has been completely fine with no problems whatsoever. Any "issues" he's just taken in his stride and got on with them. Whatever happens there are lots of children on there in the same position.

Actually, ds1 took the bus home himself in yr6 after his second taster day. He was happy and confident and suggested this as a solution, because we were both working that day! It really boosted his confidence doing this and the older students were impressed by the independent leetle yr6 child, when all the others were being ferried by their parents.

[motherstongue]

My DS has place at London school and will need to fly to and from Scotland, by himself on exeats. I'm very scared. Feeling your pain!!

[CarrotsAreNotTheOnlyVegetables]

DD travelled by bus to school from yr 3 with no problems. Until yr 5 I waited at stop with her in the morning and met her off bus in the evening.

from yr 5 I dropped her at stop in morning and she walked back from bus stop to home in the evening.

No one ate her!

[ChickensGoMeh]

Cor. Just found out the cost of the bus travel

[mimbleandlittlemy]

Glad to see your mail, Carrots. I was beginning to think I was Worst Mother Alive as ds (Y5) travels to his swimming lesson on his own by bus (10 minute journey) and has done for a while. He does get collected as it's early evening when he has finished after but I've found he really likes the responsibility of getting himself there and it's all preparation for any possible Y7 commute of the future.

[longingforsomesleep]

I feel for you Chickens. Our primary was also a short walk away but secondary is a 4/5 mile bus ride. I sat in the local park waiting for the bus to appear on day one of ds's first day at secondary - I thought I would pass out with anxiety! Now he's 17.5 and I've got another hand wringing thread on here about his first serious girlfriend!

The school he goes to tend to put boys from the same area in the same form so that they quickly get to know people they are travelling with. Might be worth making sure the school has your new address as soon as possible in case they do the same.