DD wanting to walk home from school alone. Any help?

[Notgotajarofglue]

Daughter is in year 6, will be 11 in March so high school in september. Mithering to walk home from school alone!
She thinks she's about 15 but I don't think she's as sensible and streetwise as she likes to think but then again maybe she is very pampered.

We live by the town centre of a small town 0.8 miles away from school. 16 minute walk according to Google maps, we only ever go in the car, never walked. No other kids from her class live in this direction so she would be walking alone although there are lots of schools in the area so many people around iyswim

90% of the journey is along a busy A road with many side roads to cross.

School finishes at 3.30. DH usually home by 4.20, followed by me half an hour later although I'm usually first home on a Friday.

Where do I start? I thought about collecting her from ASC on foot twice a week until the feb holidays to point out potential dangers, safest places to cross roads etc.
Then, letting her walk home only on a Friday alone after Feb hols as one of us guaranteed home by 4.20. Then get her to phone me at work when she gets in the house and I'll remind her to check the door is locked egg.
Then after Easter, let her walk alone every night but I'll still take her in.

Does this sound ok? Anybody have any tips? I grew up abroad where we took ourselves from about 8 so don't know where to start. Thought about a phone with gps in her bag so I can track her journey but she'd probably play on it walking along and walk into the road or something.
Thanks

Agree with everyone else, let her walk! My DS is 9, and we meet halfway between school and home twice a week (going up to 3 times next week). We only live half a mile away from school, so is about a 5 minutes walk on his own. He wants to start walking all the way home, and will probably do so in the Summer.

I'm amazed by the reactions of some of the other parents at his school, lots of pearl clutching. My boy is desperate for some independence, and I'm happy for him to have some.

Nothing further to offer as advice over and above what has always been written. The worst thing for me was that you had never made a 16 minute walk to school or back with your child, as the benefits of that walk on your health would have been worth it.

At our school the year six teachers make a point of telling parents and pupils they should be walking without parents to school

At my DC's school they are allowed to walk home alone from year 5. They are very big on independence.

Gave her the spare key on a silly fluffy keyring. Her face looked like I'd handed a million dollars She thinks she doesn't need to be shown what to do I'm looking forward to this (and the £75 a week saving) thanks for the confidence boost! Will let you all know how it goes

it's a good age to start.

walk with her a few times and then let her do it. maybe get a cheapo mobile if it makes you feel better.

that you never walked it before.

Yes, walk with her several times until the clocks change/it is light at 4ish. Also perhaps send her on trips to a local shop on her own to get unnecessary milk etc. Before you send her on her own go through that nspcc questionnaire about being left home alone and try to think of a few 'out alone' questions that bother you.

I walked to school for a whole mile on my own and did not need my mother to show me the way when I was 11.

In the nicest way OP - it will be a lot easier and less stressful for both you and your daughter if she is already used to going to and from school on her own when she starts secondary. I get the whole “it’s dark of a morning/night thing” but it will be too when she goes to secondary school.

Kids have enough to adjust to without adding extra when they start secondary.

It’s of course scary, for both of you.

It’s good to do it in steps.

My Ds started walking in year 6 but he had panic attacks so we had to back to school and increase it step by step.

He has always been walked to school by me . So I would meet him half way home.

Then he got it . He is at high school now and will still call me if walking on his own as he gets anxious.