Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

10-15 min drive to primary school, will it be ok?

54 replies

pinkpenguinss · 29/05/2021 13:49

We are moving to a new area and there are no spaces at the closest school for DD who is in reception. However, we've been offered a space at another really great school a 10-15 minute drive away (depending on traffic). It's got a great reputation and is usually oversubscribed so we are lucky that a space has come up.

We went to look round and thought it would really suit DD but I'm panicking a little about the drive. Has anyone done this kind of journey and can reassure me it is ok?

DH will probably do drop off and pick up one day a week and I'll do the other four so at least we are sort of sharing the pain...!

OP posts:
55378OO8 · 29/05/2021 13:53

Have you tried the drive during school run time to see what the traffic and parking are like?

NoSquirrels · 29/05/2021 13:54

Our primary school is 10-15 minute drive. We moved to a new area and didn’t want the DC split up in different schools. It’s fine. It’s a rural school so everyone drives anyway. I’d much prefer to have been in walking distance for all sorts of reasons but it’s fine, honestly. The only real time it’s an issue is car troubles, and rules around bubbles and coronavirus made life more difficult as couldn’t car share. But day-to-day it’s fine.

55378OO8 · 29/05/2021 13:54

You could always put her on the waiting list for the closer school and then decide whether to take the place if it comes up, depending on how bad the commute is.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General education Primary education
clipclop5 · 29/05/2021 13:54

Why would a short drive be a problem? At DD’s school most families are at least 20 mins away, hardly anyone is local. It is a prep school so possibly different dynamic though

bloodywhitecat · 29/05/2021 13:55

Lots and lots of kids have similar journeys, it really isn't that unusual if you live rurally for example. My two did a similar journey (except what would've been a 15 minute car ride was more like 30 minutes on the bus) on the school bus for their entire school lives and there was absolutely nothing detrimental about such a short journey.

Goodweatherforsnails · 29/05/2021 13:55

It does sound like you have a good closer alternative really and a ten/fifteen minute drive is hardly a big deal, although I’d much prefer to walk or cycle to school.

I’d be worried about if you can safely and considerately park though, especially given all the other parents trying to do the same thing?

AwFeebs · 29/05/2021 13:55

Our school run is 10 minutes.

It's fine.

interest12 · 29/05/2021 13:55

10-15 mins, ha, it took me 45 to get to school

Goodweatherforsnails · 29/05/2021 13:56
PhillipPhillop · 29/05/2021 13:56

No problem with the drive but for the future does the admissions oversubscription criteria put children in catchment before siblings out of catchment? That would be my only worry

moofolk · 29/05/2021 13:57

I do a similar length run.

It's fine

Original poster
pinkpenguinss · 29/05/2021 14:01

Have you tried the drive during school run time to see what the traffic and parking are like?

Yes, that's during school run time. I know someone who does it and I actually went and tested it myself!

Parking seems ok - it is in a residential area, so right outside the school is a pain but the next street over was ok (I'm sure the residents might not think that 😬)

OP posts:
Tickledtrout · 29/05/2021 14:02

It'll be fine. And you haven't got much choice anyway, have you?

FAQs · 29/05/2021 14:02

That’s a really short journey compared to many.

Original poster
pinkpenguinss · 29/05/2021 14:02

No problem with the drive but for the future does the admissions oversubscription criteria put children in catchment before siblings out of catchment? That would be my only worry

Funny you should mention that...at this school it should be fine, but we ruled out another very good school where it would have been an issue. It's three years before we apply for school for my youngest so just hoping that the criteria don't change before then.

OP posts:
ZenNudist · 29/05/2021 14:06

Huh? That's nothing. How odd people are.

BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 29/05/2021 14:11

We walk 30 minutes each way to school! Can't see the problem with a 10-15 minute drive, especially if you have timed it during pick up and drop off times.

30littletoes · 29/05/2021 14:14

Our DDs school is a 12 minute drive - It’s the norm at their school & fine for them. The school is brilliant and it’s worth it.
Realistically if coming from/returning to home it’s a 30/35 minute round trip to drop them off as the amount of faffing in and out of the car/ time parking adds up.

I will say though, I think it entirely depends on your working pattern- when I was driving on to work from school it never bothered me in the slightest. Leaving and returning to home whilst wfh over the last year it has really taken its toll- so boring! Although every time I get too fed up, then half term arrives and the week’s break takes the monotony out of it and we start again glad to still be at that school.
We have now rearranged our working patterns for after half term so that I drop off to breakfast club and DP picks up- this works for us.

30littletoes · 29/05/2021 14:15

I’m with you though- in principle I would love to walk! I wouldn’t bat an eyelid at a 20 minute walk.

gingerninja99 · 29/05/2021 14:15

Yep do it everyday! We moved to the next village but can't get my kids in the local school so they go to their old school a few miles away. Got it down to a fine art now, have a set time we must leave by, I'd rather sit in the car near school for 5 mins than leave home later and get stressed because we're running late! I live near a level crossing (no station) so if I time it wrong I could be sat there for ages waiting for several trains to get through

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 29/05/2021 14:19

Journey shouldn't be a problem. Once the children are older you can get them to do their reading to you on the way home and multitask 😉

Caterina99 · 29/05/2021 14:39

This will be us. We’re moving from a school right around the corner to our house, to a rural area where it’s a 10-15 min drive to the local school. I am sad about losing the convenience of our 5 min slow walk to school (takes me 2 min if I’m by myself) but so be it. I’m sure we’ll get used to our new routine

sagegreentree · 29/05/2021 14:42

DS school run is the same. The school is rural so it's down lanes. It's lovely.

AbsolutelyPatsy · 29/05/2021 14:45

can you cycle in future?

Stompythedinosaur · 29/05/2021 14:53

10-15 mins is nothing!