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Original poster

High school walk - 35/40 min on foot

58 replies

RamblingJenny · 09/09/2021 10:12

Hi MN’tters, future planning here.
Anyone with teens/an idea reckon a 35/40 min commute to high school (all on foot, no transport) is too much?
I did a longer commute myself when I was at high school (decades ago) but had transport in between and I’m not sure about work loads/added stress these days.
Any help much appreciated!

OP posts:

Akire · 09/09/2021 10:18

If that’s only option I’d say it’s fine or get confident on a bike. Will be pain if it’s pouring with rain but then they would get just as wet with a 20min walk as 35. They need avoid taking up the double bass

ErrolTheDragon · 09/09/2021 10:19

It depends on the individual child, doesn't it? And how much kit they may need to carry. If they're a hockey playing cellist it might be hard...
The journey time is comparable to what loads do on public transport.

I reckon my DD would have cheerfully enough done that IF it was the only way to get to the school she really wanted to go to.

Presumably bike isn't an option?

TenThousandSpoons · 09/09/2021 10:19

It’s ok. Will feel a long way in the rain with a heavy backpack on though - is there a chance of an occasional lift if the weather is really grim?

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CryHavoc · 09/09/2021 10:23

It's absolutely fine. Mine did a 30 minute walk to primary school, so 35 minutes for secondary shouldn't be a problem.

InnPain · 09/09/2021 10:26

I think it is quite a long walk, adds up both ways

itssquidstella · 09/09/2021 10:26

I walked this distance to and from school in the late 90s/early 90s. I could get the bus but it involved going into town and then out again so it was usually easier to walk. I didn't do much other exercise so it was good for me!

SeaShoreGalore · 09/09/2021 10:26

Mine does that, she is 13. So do half her friends. It’s fine.

senua · 09/09/2021 10:29

How far is 35/40 minutes? They should get free transport if it is more than three miles according to this statutory guidance.

WTF475878237NC · 09/09/2021 10:36

I did this for years and it was fine. On the day when I had a heavy instrument to carry I got a lift from a friend's mum there and got the bus home.

Wbeezer · 09/09/2021 10:41

I did longer than that in all weathers as my Dad took our only car to work, it was hilly as well. We lived just inside the distance limit for the free bus.
I think I've blanked out the really wet cold days but remember walking and talking and stopping off in the park with my friend fondly.

UserAtLargeAgain · 09/09/2021 10:42

Totally normal round here. They tend to walk with friends. If they can get a lift or cycle some days it breaks it up a bit.

UserAtLargeAgain · 09/09/2021 10:42

@senua

How far is 35/40 minutes? They should get free transport if it is more than three miles according to this statutory guidance.

Up to 2 miles (depends on walking speed!). Too short a distance for free transport.

Stompythedinosaur · 09/09/2021 10:44

I think it is fine.

WhiskeyNeverStartsToTasteNice · 09/09/2021 10:50

I think it makes a difference whether they're doing it on their own or with friends; whether they can occasionally get a lift if weather is really awful and how often they may have instruments/PE kits/food tech ingredients etc to carry on the same day.

emmathedilemma · 09/09/2021 10:50

Sounds fine to me but then I'm often horrified by the short distances a lot of people feel they need to drive!

WithLoveFromMyselfToYourself · 09/09/2021 10:52

It will be really good for them and fine. Lots of my friends had similar walks to and from school.

It’s a good way to wake up and also a good way to decompress at the end of the working day.

ChevreChase · 09/09/2021 10:55

I chose to do 35 mins-ish myself for school - there were plenty of buses, but my sister and I just chose to walk it a lot of the time. The saved bus fare would be spent at the bakery, or newsagent, for snacks to sustain us on the journey!

DS just started high school and the walk would be similar, and at some point we'll let him do it some days if he is still keen. But there are other options too (lift, school bus, public bus).

Original poster

RamblingJenny · 09/09/2021 10:56

Hiya everyone, thank you so much for all your replies. It’s so appreciated because we’re in a bit of a sticky situation. House prices here are becoming astronomical and the bidding wars/games are horrible. By the time we can move we are going to be out-priced and the gap on the housing ladder around here will be out of our budget.
I have my eye on a pocket area ‘down the road‘ where rises are more steady from local knowledge. The houses are decent with potential so I’d want to focus on here when we can afford to move.

I’ve just looked into it and it’s 1.8 miles altogether from the ideal road/area to the high school.

I’m glad some think it’s doable, I’m happy to give a lift every now and then.

Unfortunately I’d feel uncomfortable with the cycling as the main road is one of the busiest in our area with regular accidents with cyclists.

I too have really fond (hilarious) memories of general mischief commuting with just friends. Thanks everyone who has took the time to reply 💐

OP posts:

reluctantbrit · 09/09/2021 11:26

That’s quite normal for lots of children at DD’s school. There is a bus but by the time it comes to our nearest stop it is already full. So she walked from day 1.

Yesterday she walked with PE bag, back pack and lunch. Some girls carry instruments or art kits on a regular basis.

We may drive her half way if it pouring down but only if we wfh. Otherwise, second pair of shoes and waterproof coat is a must.

There are lots of other children walking the same route.

lljkk · 09/09/2021 11:55

Given difficulties of getting my teenagers to take exercise, I'd be glad they walked so far each way.

DS cycles 25-30 minutes each way.

ErrolTheDragon · 09/09/2021 12:43

If you can give her a lift if necessary (eg a sprained ankle or excessive amounts of stuff to carry) that makes it very feasible.

noblegiraffe · 09/09/2021 12:47

Will you be happy with them doing the walk in the dark? Is it well lit?

fruitpastille · 09/09/2021 12:51

My kids walk that far (along with friends). It's fine and actually it helps that they set off early when I also have to go to work. My DS plays a heavy instrument so I drive that up to school for him and leave it at reception for him when he needs it. I like that they are getting decent exercise each day but I wish they had less to carry on their backs and also wish they were allowed to wear boots or trainers.

UserAtLargeAgain · 09/09/2021 12:53

IME it's pretty normal that the DC end up walking round miles between each others houses after school anyway. DS quite often walks to one friend's house (1 mile from school), then to another friend's house (another mile) then home (2 miles) and doesn't seem to think anything of it.
DD used to take around an hour to walk 0.8 miles to school because her route took her via so many different people's houses.

Lindy2 · 09/09/2021 12:54

DD sometimes walks home. Our official distance is 2.8 miles but I'm sure it's longer with various twists and turns. It takes between 45 minutes to 1 hour.

In the summer it's ok. She walks with friends and they chat on the way.

The difficulty is the heavy bag, end of the day tiredness and in winter it getting dark while she is still walking. The usual weather issues are also obviously there.

She'd also never get there in time in the morning - typical sleepy teen.

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