Where we live very few children seem to actually walk to school!!! I would say probably 80% are taken by car and dropped off rather than walking. My son has just started in year 7 and I on one hand feel really bad making him walk but I don't drive so couldn't drop him anyway but on the other hand I was under the impression it is good for their independance and health. It is a 20 minute walk. One of my friends who lives 2 roads away from us drops her kids on her way to work and it takes her 40 mins in the traffic. My son can walk in 20!!! Just wondering if lifts to and from school is the norm nowadays??