Looking at schools for dd, starting secondary in September 12. They are both girls grammar schools. Dd absolutely loved the one and was fine with the other.
So she would be taking herself? Does she realise how long the journey is? Will many others be travelling with her ? 45 mins after school could eat into social time quite a bit unless her friends are all there too!
Having always gone to school (even primary) at least 45 minutes away the only downside is not living near your mates but you can help make sure that's not too much of an issue by encouraging her to have her new mates over fairly regularly. The journey itself was never a problem for me you just get used to it.
My dd travels annhournto her secondary school. It was her choice, butnif in had myntime over I think I would trynreally hard to persuade her to go to the nearer one. It's not just the getting therenand backnon normalndays, it's thentime shenhasto staynlate for something,nthentimes whennthe bus is late or cancelled, the getting home from parties.... It can be a real hassle.
And her best friend lives nearly an hour's journey on the other side of the school -so meeting up at the weekend is a nightmare!
My secondary school child lives 20 mins away from school by car, but via public transport it takes 1hr 15 mins. They love it, they take hot chocolate in a flask, there is a real social atmosphere on the bus/train.
They didn't have any friends travelling with them, but what's nice now is the social circle is wider, and travelling friends are not the same as class friends.
Now in year 10, and still enjoy the journey every day.
Moving to a new area? Or facing the admissions process? Talk to other parents near you about schools in your local area
