Can you give me some good phrases to use on these kids?

OP, I'm a year 5 teacher so I know very well how some year 5 children can behave.

If they are intending to intimidate you on the way home, the likelihood is that their behaviour will be on the school's radar already.

If a parent of a child in another year (or my year!) told me what you've told us here, it would be taken seriously.

And I wouldn't worry about not knowing their names either. As soon as you start to explain what is happening, the school will know exactly who you are talking about.

I would stop and say ‘we’ll let you go ahead’ and then I would wait and wait until they pissed off. If they continue to hang around and won’t leave you alone then I think this crosses into hassling you and I would talk to the school.

Just to add, dc of that age are often silly. It's not the big deal you or some other posters are making it out to be.

If you think there aren't Y5 or 6 children who would do this kind of thing in order to deliberately make the OP or her dd uncomfortable, you are sadly mistaken. The OP clearly feels they are doing it in this way. They need to learn that it's not ok and that adults see their behaviour for what it is, and do not just let them get away with it.

They have been doing this to her the same day for a whole year. It's not silly behaviour. And either way it's making her uncomfortable

I'm not in uk so not sure what age year 5 is? Is that 8/9? Either way I think it's quite intimidating and repetitive behaviour. I would firmly say, you are making us uncomfortable, can you go please and then I would escalate it to the school if it continues.

Don't smile. Tell them to stop it and warn them that if they don't, you will be speaking to the headteacher about them.

Just to add, dc of that age are often silly. It's not the big deal you or some other posters are making it out to be.

I'd correct them. My dds birthday is on this day, when s yours? We're only talking a few minutes of time, why not engage? And you may find that your smile comes more naturally then.

Because they are in the years above her DD and go to the after school club. They are taking the piss and if they get a reaction, they'll target her DD. They are going to be a nightmare in high school.

Nothing worse that a load of cocky kids who are over familiar with adults they don't know. Tell them straight to go on ahead and stop bothering you. There will be a ringleader

If they walk alongside you, stop walking and say clearly and firmly, 'I want to talk to my dd now, so I need you to go away please.'

Stop smiling at them and let them know you don't want them there. If they carry on tell them you will tell the teacher who will tell their parents. And do tell the teacher. I don't know why you're smiling at them? that will encourage them.

I had kids do this to me at school too. Adults never understood what the problem was, when we saw them in town my mum would say "She seemed nice!" but she wasn't being nice, they would say hello and whatever I did back it was the wrong response. They wouldn't laugh at me in front of my mum but if it happened at school then they would openly laugh at whatever my response was or if I said nothing they would keep berating me for ages until I went away or said something. Both would provoke laughter.

I have ADHD and I think I just came across as "weird" and they found it hilarious. I didn't tell a teacher because I didn't really want to draw attention to it.

I like to think I would handle it differently as an adult but I don't actually know

As a teacher I would say
Stop smiling. Go with neutral expression.
Stop and allow them to go on ahead
If they continue I would speak to the school.

They shouldn't be interacting with adults they don't know anyway sounds like they are being cheeky in any case.

What they are doing is asserting that you don't have a choice about whether to interact with them. That's why they are trying to trap you into responding to nonsense about birthdays on October of whatever.

They are practicing to be men who dominate and menace women when they grow up.

In secondary school I was frequently followed by kids like this. On the surface they were making normal comments but in fact mocking.
It's intimidation and bullying.

You would be doing the world a favour by dealing with this now, for example by asking their names and reporting to class teacher. You are an adult and should have the power over them. You might put them off doing it to kids who are on their own in future.

I’m autistic too and would also feel uncomfortable - they are pretty certainly taking the p* because they’re sensing your awkwardness or because they already harass your child in school. I’d suggest not smiling at them - you’re showing your weakness as there is no reason to smile, they’re acting like arseholes and you’re showing them you don’t know how to deal with it. It’s tricky to say anything as they’re not technically doing much wrong… I bet they’re horribly clever bullies in school. Can you find out more about them from your child (are they in she same class/year group?). That might inform your response a bit (if they were bullying my child in school I’d want be more firm with them/speak to school… it’s worth gently having a chat with your child to see if there is anything going on). Don’t engage with them - but total blanking will probably amuse them too as they’ll keep trying for a reaction. ‘I don’t know who you are or why you’re walking with us, but that’s enough silliness now. Run along and leave us in peace.’

How many boys? Do you feel intimidated? What year is your DD in? Are they mocking you?
Do they happen to be walking your way?

A pack of 5 boys swarming round you is really hideous and would make me feel really uncomfortable.

School do have a legal obligation to ensure safety in the way to and from school (can't quote a source but I'm. A secondary teacher and have picked it up somehow- think it's true)

Speak to the school - state you feel annoyed/ uncomfortable / intimidated/ mocked/ harassed by these kids.

My teenagers are both on the spectrum, one can fight their own battles but one struggles and this would piss me off enough to be openly hostile to them. They sound like utter gobshites.

I'd probably tell them to go find their own adults (tell, not ask) because I have no interest in what they’re talking about because I’m trying to talk to my own children.

Tricky - if they feel you have been rude or dismissive to them then they could take it out on your daughter in some way at school.
Of course, they maybe totally fine and stop - I just can’t gauge whether they are being sweet or toerags from your post

You need to ignore them completely. By saying anything to them you are entering into their game. Explain to your child that you will in future not be responding to them. They will eventually get bored with the lack of interaction, which is what they want. It may take a few occasions before they move on to another game. No point in talking to their teacher about it, that could actually exacerbate things by letting them know you're being affected by it.

This. What's all this "stop and pretend to tie your shoe" business, or even worse "just put up with it"!?! They are being annoying. Tell them off/to get lost!

This would cocern me tbh only because of my experience of a group of boys from my primary doing something similar to this and then trying to beat me up when I was alone. (I only lived up the street from the school).

I would talk to the teacher and ask them if they know these boys.

My adult daughter has ASD and this would upset her. Firstly if they are trying to take the piss do not let it bother you. They are probably latching on to you because they sense your discomfort, and this is not fair. It may be difficult but it's totally acceptable for you to cross the road and then cross back again. If they follow you please speak to the teacher if you don't feel comfortable telling them to sod off...or try saying bluntly; stop following behind me. If you do it again I will speak to your teacher. It's fine to say this.