How old were you when you went to school by yourself, and what year?

[cornflowerblue19]

I was seven (1988.) I was also coming home to an empty house. I think it was a bit young even then.

Probably either the 3rd or 4th year of junior school, so Year 5 or 6 now (age 10-11 ish) in 1987-88.

I seem to remember my mum letting me walk home by myself first - her rationale being that she knew when I was due home; whereas going to school it might be a while for anyone to realise if I hadn't turned up with no phone call to say I was ill.

I was 11 and starting secondary in 1989.

Ridiculously my parents had felt I was too headstrong to be allowed out alone prior to this point. There was also a fear that I may be mistaken for the council house children who were allowed to "play out"

One day in late August it appeared to dawn on them that my school was 3 miles away and they had no intention of driving me. I was given one trial run and then on my first day of school was sent off with 30p for bus fare in my money belt

Starting my first year (still aged 5) - 20 minutes walk in 1968.
Not in the UK, though.

8 - I took the tube across London on my own. It was 1975.

Definitely 7. Over a few roads, was normal back then I think.

That's why I was surprised to get a sharp note from the head that even year 6 needed to be collected. Different world now.

4

my brother and I walked together aged 5&6 in early 70's. One day our 4 year old brother can to meet us. He had his bike in one hand and our German shepherd on a lead. Mum had not missed him. Distance 1 mile but no dangerous roads

5, 1972

17, when I could drive! No public transport and school was 8 miles away.

I was 7. 1977. Several roads to cross but very few cars on the road.

4 or 5 but walked with neighbour and his brother who were 5 and 7. School was maybe 5 min walk and no roads to cross. It would have been 1979.

I walked to school with my same age neighbor in my second week of school, aged 5. SW England, 1979.

I remember being very proud of myself. We had to cross one road with a lollypop man. Far less traffic then especially around the school as I don't remember anyone being driven to school.

The only time anything bad happened on the way to primary school was when my younger sister started a few years later my mum walked with us, and tripped and sprained her ankle

We moved a few years later still and had to commute by car, which I'm sure was far more dangerous.

Age 6. I remember my younger sibling’s first day of school as my Mom walked with us for the first day. I was considered responsible enough to get us both there after that (2 year gap so age 6 and 4 - reception and yr2)

I think maybe 6 ? This was early 80s

Five. In primary 1. But I lived in a quiet village and kids would walk in a mixed age group.

Reception so age 4, in 1980. My school was on the same street that I lived on though.

My kids also took themselves to school from day two onwards.

Aged nearly 6 through to nearly 7 depending on birthday because they start later here.

All this decade, Germany.

I was 11 so year 7. I used to get two buses to school. It was roughly 40mins- 1hr on the second bus and usually an hour on the way back home. I'd collect my sisters from the childminders and we'd go home together. DM would get in 2hrs later from the City and do all the usuals. Worked well for us all.

4 nearly 5
1958
Almost a mile
Partly main road!

5, in the early 1960s. It was about a 20 minute walk, crossing 3 estate roads. My Mum took me for the first week, after which I went with on my own.

7, Year 3. 1978

Year 2 so 6 (I was old in the year). It was about a 15 min walk. I was supposed to wait outside until my mum got back from work (never longer 10-15 mins), but one day I saw her hide the spare key so decided to use that to get in. I pushed the door and all the glass fell out (it was one of those largely glass doors with a wooded frame - house built in the 60s). Thank God my neighbour was just coming in to her house next door and came over to clear up the glass. This was late 70s.

1. Mid 60s.

I either walked with friends or sometimes alone as I came home for dinner. My mother was always in. Distance was around half a mile.

1. Though I might have done so earlier, but walked to and from junior school by myself and went to a neighbours after school. She was elderly so I walked her dog and then we drank milky coffee and watched the Young Doctors or Take the High Road

5 or 6 I think, in the early 90s. But we lived literally next door to the school. It would have been stupid to walk me, took about 2 minutes.