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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think Year 4 is too young to walk home from school alone

113 replies

user63214 · 24/09/2025 18:27

School have just announced years 4 and above can walk home alone. My DS has autism so maybe my view is distorted but he is only 8. Whilst it’s obviously still up to us they seem to be pushing it abit reminding us to sign consent forms.
We are off a fairly busy road and the parking/driving situation at peak pick up times is not always very safe.

I get it from year 6 preparing children for secondary school. AIBU?

OP posts:
ShesTheAlbatross · 24/09/2025 22:40

Completely depends on the child. My DD (who is only year 2 so isn’t walking on her own yet!) would have to come out of the school, then immediately onto a pathway that runs parallel to the school field, when she gets to the end of it, walk across a small grassy area (none of this is secluded at all) and then into our house. She wouldn’t have to cross a single road, and would be doing this surrounded by parents and children all walking the same way. So I’d be happy with this in year 4.

Dery · 24/09/2025 22:39

Both DDs are young adults now but, from memory, when they were in primary, the school permitted it if requested from last term of yr 5 and actively encouraged it in the last term of yr 6 on the basis that DCs would shortly be in secondary and would quickly move to making that longer journey alone. That all felt about right to me.

RigIt · 24/09/2025 22:36

Depends on the child, the route and the distance. Glad this school is being sensible rather than all the ones who seem to be trying to prevent it against the wishes of their parents. Just say no if you are not happy.

SouthLondonMum22 · 24/09/2025 22:34

Our local school is from Year 5 I'm pretty sure. I think either Year 4 or Year 5 is fine since it is ultimately up to the parents anyway.

NoisyLittleOtter · 24/09/2025 22:33

My DD walked to school and back alone from year 5, but as an August born she’d only just turned 9. I’d happily have let her walk at 8. She’s very sensible and we live in an area where there are loads of kids/parents walking the same route at the same time to the same school so I wouldn’t have any safety concerns.

FuzzyWolf · 24/09/2025 22:33

YANBU but I expect others in the class don’t have SEN and don’t have any busy roads to cross so their parents wouldn’t BU to let them walk. It’s always a very individual choice based on the child and the route.

Arlanymor · 24/09/2025 22:32

Depends on the child and the route. I used to walk to/from primary school in a small village from the age of about 7 onwards - it was about 20 minutes.

StrongandNorthern · 24/09/2025 22:31

I'd say not in Y4.
Our local school is Y6 only (busy, urban environment).

vdbfamily · 24/09/2025 22:29

Our school allowed it from year 3 I think( or was a while ago) My 3 walked home together mostly so was fine for my 7 year old with older siblings but they would also change and go off to play in the park after getting home.

pecanpie101 · 24/09/2025 22:24

I wouldn't be happy to let my 8 year old walk home.

Ddakji · 24/09/2025 18:34

Depend on each child and their route. It was year 5 in DD’s school, route was ok, not many roads to cross. She probably could have done it in year 4, or later in year 4.

Desperateanddisgusted · 24/09/2025 18:34

It depends on the child my 8 year could easily and safely my 12 year old on the other hand is in her own head and would be dangerous alone 🤣

TheNightingalesStarling · 24/09/2025 18:31

It will honestly depend on the route. Walking a mile is very different to 3 houses down the street or the car pick up point. Or walking alone versus walking with a Yr6 sibling.

Yr4 would have be fine for mine as we lived opposite the school.