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Original poster

Long walk to school

36 replies

HearMeSnore · 23/08/2022 10:41

DD starts secondary school this term. It's a 40 minute walk there and back. I will be walking with her until she's confident going alone, but I can't help feeling nervous about her walking by herself. She's a total scatterbrain and has no sense of direction. She managed to get lost when she went for her first trial day, and she only had to walk to the end of the road where I was waiting for her.

Her new school has a strict, absolute "no phones" rule. No exceptions. Not even smart watches.

I'm just wondering whether it's possible to use an air-tag attached to her bag, so I can find out where she is in the event that she doesn't arrive home when she's supposed to? I've never used an air-tag before so have no idea if they can be used in this way.

If not, other ideas are welcome!

OP posts:
MicksMate · 23/08/2022 11:23

40 mins is fine, not knowing the route is not. Spend the next 2 weeks teaching her the route. Start her off with a printed map with the route marked on it if you are really sure about the phone thing. Practice lots, point out landmarks. Don't leave it until she starts.

I would be amazed if they are actually banned from having a switched off phone in their bag. It's a safety thing for the journey. Either way she needs a printed map as back up and you need to teach her how to use it.

Plumbear2 · 23/08/2022 11:08

Check with the school to see if they allow phones switched off and kept in their bag . That's allowed on my children's school due to the amount of people having phone apps for buses to and from school.

AceSpades54321 · 23/08/2022 11:06

40 minutes seems a lot to me! Can you get her a bike? Also could she have one of those car GPS things, then she could have a map and directions read out to her to stop her getting lost.

Meltingsocks · 23/08/2022 11:03

You're over thinking this. Of course she can use a phone to and from school. School cannot control that, she just needs to switch it off and place in bag.

17CherryTreeLane · 23/08/2022 11:02

My DC walk that distance no problem. If she's nervous finding her way, are there any friends she can walk with? I'm not aware of any secondary aged children round here being walked to school by a parent.

leccybill · 23/08/2022 11:01

Can she cycle/get the bus? Mine walks 25 mins, it didn't seem like much to start with but after Year 7 of heavy bags, rain, wind etc, she doesn't love it.
The good thing was that she signed up to some after school clubs 3 x week so I can pick her up at 4.30/5, which reduces the walking.

Jules912 · 23/08/2022 10:56

Are you sure it's no phones allowed on school site? The school my DC will likely go to is no phones to be seen or heard during the school day. Everyone has one but turns them off and puts them in their bag/locker when they get to school.

PuttingDownRoots · 23/08/2022 10:54

When you walk with her... talk about the route. Numbers of roads you cross, street names etc. It will help cement the memory. Print this out, so she has a little aide in her pocket.

Gradually reduce how much you walk with her.

(I have no sense of direction. I have to do this sort of stuff myself)

Ramble0n · 23/08/2022 10:49

My kids walked that distance to secondary school. It is a scary thought at first especially if they are not used to walking anywhere alone. They soon get used to it and find other kids to walk with.

Are you sure they are not allowed a switched off phone that has to stay in their bags? That's what I would do anyway.

TheTeenageYears · 23/08/2022 10:48

That's a massive amount of liability for a school to take on if students aren't allowed to carry a phone with them to and from school for their own safety. We don't live in an age where you just knock on a random door when in need or speak to a stranger. I would double check that rule - not sure I could send a child there if that really is the case. Imagine what other completely illogical rules they'll enforce.

redskyatnight · 23/08/2022 10:44

40 minutes is a not unusual length of walk, but definitely practice if she's not used to walking on her own. Is it likely she'll meet up with others going from your direction? You could also consider cycling.

I'd check whether the phone rule only applies to phones within school. It seems very odd that a school would not allow students any means of getting in touch with parents on their way home.