Page 11 | AIBU to continue turning in the school gate?

NortonBuns · 2025-03-19T14:18:35+00:00

I drive my dd to school everyday and once I drop her off I turn around and drive home. I approach the back gate of the school and use this entrance to turn my car round so I can head back home. The school have now put up a sign saying keep our children safe, no stopping, dropping off or turning in the entrance. So where am I supposed to turn around? If I carry on I reach the front gate which is busier and has the busses. If I turn before I reach the back entrance I am doing a three point turn in busy school run traffic with lots of children walking and cycling. So AIBU to say I am safest turning in the large double gate and ignoring the new sign?

Ritzybitzy · 19/03/2025 19:27

crumblingschools · 19/03/2025 19:16

Is this a catchment school? Don't they have to provide transport if you live that distance?

2 miles?! No 😂🤣

ByEdgyPeer · 19/03/2025 19:26

toomuchfaff · 19/03/2025 14:20

Some may say stop away from the school... walk a bit.

Set off earlier, park further away.

Why is your time and ability to turn around any more important than the 100s of other parents? Or children's safety?

First post nailed it. I'm sick of parents like you who put children and parents at risk because you're too lazy to park a bit further away and walk.

I wish my kids school would do something like this.

MrsSunshine2b · 19/03/2025 19:25

ToKittyornottoKitty · 19/03/2025 19:23

I don’t think the DD needs to walk an additional 12 miles a day, OP can just turn round somewhere else.

Show quote history

I'm sure she could walk to a bus stop and cut her walking time considerably. Or cycle, which would be much quicker.

I do not believe for a minute that there is not a single side road closer to the school; they do not build schools on motorways.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 19/03/2025 19:23

MrsSunshine2b · 19/03/2025 19:21

Drop your daughter off further away and let her walk in.
Or even better, let her walk the whole way.

I don’t think the DD needs to walk an additional 12 miles a day, OP can just turn round somewhere else.

LadyBracknellsHandbagg · 19/03/2025 19:23

NortonBuns · 19/03/2025 17:10

@LadyBracknellsHandbagg well none of the solutions people have come up with are safer.
Then end of the 2 miles away road is a very busy crossroad where it would not be safe to stop.
I can’t carry on to do a loop as I would then hit the full front of school traffic and children walking and cycling to school.
This is a high school by the way and we live very rurally so I am not unusual for having to drive.
There is literally a long queue of other parents waiting to turn at this point. The children have a fenced off walk way which leads to a zebra crossing so are not in danger.

They clearly are in danger as the school has asked you to stop doing it!

Nobody is saying you shouldn’t drive, but there is a solution for this if only you would look for it, it may well put you out a bit but that’s life, we are talking about children’s safety here.

If I was the headteacher I’d get the traffic wardens out to ticket you all, I’m pretty sure you’d stop doing it then.

BagelandEggs · 19/03/2025 19:22

Park and stride! As my dad used to say, some people would drive up to reception if they could!

MrsSunshine2b · 19/03/2025 19:22

NortonBuns · 19/03/2025 18:52

There are no side roads, why post if you can’t be bothered to read the thread. No matter how early I leave I have to turn around. Either before or after the school, I just think it’s safer before. For what it’s worth the sign went up a week ago and so far everyone has carried on as usual.

Show quote history

There are no side roads within 2 miles of the school on either side?

I don't believe you.

MrsSunshine2b · 19/03/2025 19:21

Drop your daughter off further away and let her walk in.
Or even better, let her walk the whole way.

Tessabelle74 · 19/03/2025 19:17

You're a twat! Just find somewhere safe to turn around further from the school

grumpypedestrian · 19/03/2025 19:16

OP, did you get offered school transport? I grew up very rurally and we were provided with a taxi to the nearest bus stop. Have you been offered this and declined?

I also find it unreasonable that your child can’t work 2 miles when you say other children don’t.

This isn’t about you. This is about keeping children safe and your refusal to take responsibility.

crumblingschools · 19/03/2025 19:16

Is this a catchment school? Don't they have to provide transport if you live that distance?

Whaleandsnail6 · 19/03/2025 19:16

NortonBuns · 19/03/2025 18:52

There are no side roads, why post if you can’t be bothered to read the thread. No matter how early I leave I have to turn around. Either before or after the school, I just think it’s safer before. For what it’s worth the sign went up a week ago and so far everyone has carried on as usual.

Show quote history

But why do you have to turn around? Why can you not carry on driving, no matter how far until a safe spot to turn around?

Just carry on until the cross roads, and go whatever direction would lead to you to somewhere to turn and go back on yourself?

Ritzybitzy · 19/03/2025 19:15

NortonBuns · 19/03/2025 18:52

There are no side roads, why post if you can’t be bothered to read the thread. No matter how early I leave I have to turn around. Either before or after the school, I just think it’s safer before. For what it’s worth the sign went up a week ago and so far everyone has carried on as usual.

Show quote history

You can think what you want but the advice will be based on what’s safe. Do as you’ve been asked. Obviously.

Bluevelvetsofa · 19/03/2025 19:15

Explore public transport options. There are circumstances where you could be entitled to free transport, if you live a certain distance from the school, but it’s your nearest one.

Car pool, so there are fewer cars.

Everyone knows that parking close to school entrances is inconsiderate, selfish and an accident waiting to happen.

Bestfootforward11 · 19/03/2025 19:14

There must be other solutions. Have you spoken to the school? We park 10 mins away and walk.

ThatshallotBaby · 19/03/2025 19:09

Quite a bit of frothing going on
@NortonBuns Could you contact the school and explain the situation!

wordler · 19/03/2025 19:05

NortonBuns · 19/03/2025 18:52

There are no side roads, why post if you can’t be bothered to read the thread. No matter how early I leave I have to turn around. Either before or after the school, I just think it’s safer before. For what it’s worth the sign went up a week ago and so far everyone has carried on as usual.

Show quote history

So after you pass the school, is it just one long road forever? How many miles past the school is it before you see a side road or a junction?

JSMill · 19/03/2025 19:04

NortonBuns · 19/03/2025 18:52

There are no side roads, why post if you can’t be bothered to read the thread. No matter how early I leave I have to turn around. Either before or after the school, I just think it’s safer before. For what it’s worth the sign went up a week ago and so far everyone has carried on as usual.

Show quote history

So the school has requested something for the safety of the children but many parents are ignoring it? I would like to see how those same people would react if their child was injured because school staff decided the safety of children was optional.

OreganoFlow · 19/03/2025 19:04

babiesinthesnowflakes · 19/03/2025 19:00

Genuine question, what were you expecting from this thread? Did you think people would all tell you that you weren’t unreasonable? Did you consider that they may not agree with you?

Now that people have told you that you are being unreasonable, do you believe them? Or do you still believe you are right?

Show quote history

I think OP is going to take the supersoaker to the party.

(Ancient MN reference).

babiesinthesnowflakes · 19/03/2025 19:00

NortonBuns · 19/03/2025 18:52

There are no side roads, why post if you can’t be bothered to read the thread. No matter how early I leave I have to turn around. Either before or after the school, I just think it’s safer before. For what it’s worth the sign went up a week ago and so far everyone has carried on as usual.

Show quote history

Genuine question, what were you expecting from this thread? Did you think people would all tell you that you weren’t unreasonable? Did you consider that they may not agree with you?

Now that people have told you that you are being unreasonable, do you believe them? Or do you still believe you are right?

100PercentFaithful · 19/03/2025 18:58

Use the provided school transport. If you live 6 miles away you will be entitled to free school transport.
I also live rurally - 5 miles and roads are unsuitable to walk/cycle. My children are picked up by a school taxi or minibus (depending on how many children are on the route that year).

DoComeToMeKitty · 19/03/2025 18:56

Im exercising a lot od self-restraint here: The answer is you park further away and walk in.

WilfredsPies · 19/03/2025 18:52

So where am I supposed to turn around? I’m not a fan of the phrase, but I believe this is what young people would refer to as a ‘you problem’. Why are you even asking? Like it’s the school’s responsibility to find an alternative and convenient place to turn? It’s a six mile drive. Are you seriously suggesting that in the last couple of miles, or in the couple of miles beyond the school, there is not one single place that there are interconnected roads where you could drive around in a loop and go back the way you came, rather than turning around?

I genuinely think it is better for those approaching from the back to turn and go back rather than entering the main gate fray It genuinely doesn’t matter what you think. The school have asked you to stop doing it, so unless you’re a complete bloody arsehole, your only option is to stop doing it.

Original poster

NortonBuns · 19/03/2025 18:52

SergeantDawkins · 19/03/2025 18:44

Tbh you don’t need to read it all. The solution is that.
Leave 10 mins earlier. Park 10 min walk away, down a side road etc. Really not that hard🤦🏻‍♀️

Show quote history

There are no side roads, why post if you can’t be bothered to read the thread. No matter how early I leave I have to turn around. Either before or after the school, I just think it’s safer before. For what it’s worth the sign went up a week ago and so far everyone has carried on as usual.

OP posts:

SergeantDawkins · 19/03/2025 18:44

Createausername1970 · 19/03/2025 17:58

I haven't read the thread, I can't be arsed.

Park further away and walk down.

Show quote history

Tbh you don’t need to read it all. The solution is that.
Leave 10 mins earlier. Park 10 min walk away, down a side road etc. Really not that hard🤦🏻‍♀️