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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:

ufucoffee · 09/09/2021 12:56

@senua

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

Not necessarily. If they have chosen that school over a nearer school then they won't get transport. That's the rule here

ufucoffee · 09/09/2021 12:56

I think that's an acceptable walking time for school

Nat6999 · 09/09/2021 13:04

Ds has walked home sometimes, just over 2 miles, takes 35-45 minutes all downhill but rarely does now due to ME/CFS .

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OddestSock · 09/09/2021 13:07

My daughter walks 40 minutes to secondary school with friends. So far she likes it as it's a good chance to catch up with friends she may not be in class with.

However, we do walk a lot, and some of her friends who aren't used to walking so much get a lift

Whatwouldscullydo · 09/09/2021 13:10

Dd has a 30-40 min walk to school. It's fine.

A bit of exercise before and after school is a good thing.

reluctantbrit · 09/09/2021 14:42

@noblegiraffe

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

How long is your school day? DD leaves the house at 7.30am and is back home at 4pm, even in the deepest winter and bad weather it is light enough.

stripedbananas · 09/09/2021 14:43

My DC and lots of others walk 30 mins or more mainly because there isn't a bus on their route so they have no choice.

stripedbananas · 09/09/2021 14:45

I had to walk further than that but I loved my walk to and from school because I walked with friends who weren't in any of my classes.

reluctantbrit · 09/09/2021 14:47

@senua

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

It doesn’t say if it is the distance to walk or how the crow flies. DD’s school is just under 1mile from our door but that’s how the crow flies.

The crow flies over a train track, golf club and two huge sport fields you can’t cross so the children have to do a longer walk around it.

Therefore DD walks a lot longer than the official distance is.

noblegiraffe · 09/09/2021 15:14

Depends on after school stuff, clubs, revision sessions, dropping off friends etc, reluctant I guess.

We had a bit of a dicey walk down an unlit shady path at primary that by 4 in winter was definitely pushing it.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 09/09/2021 15:17

We walk that far to primary school as I don't have a car. It's fine.

CMOTDibbler · 09/09/2021 15:17

We only have one secondary school, and due to the location it is 2km from us. DS cycles, but most kids walk, and for some of them its further. No buses

User646326712 · 09/09/2021 15:23

Electric Scooter??

Snoken · 09/09/2021 15:49

I think it's fine if you are able to drive if the weather is terrible. My youngest has a 30 minute walk to the bus (because he insists on walking with his friend so makes a detour) and I will drive him if it's horrible outside as I don't want him to be in school cold and wet, but most of the time he is fine walking.

PatriciaHolm · 09/09/2021 16:00

@reluctantbrit Yes it does - it's statutory walking distance (p10). Admissions to school often use crow flies, but eligibility for transport is specifically on walking distance.

Which is defined on p12 - "the measurement of the statutory walking distances is not necessarily the shortest distance by road. It is measured by the shortest route along which a child, accompanied as necessary, may walk safely. As such, the route measured may include footpaths, bridleways, and other pathways, as well as recognised roads."

PatriciaHolm · 09/09/2021 16:03

@User646326712

Electric Scooter??

Privately owned scooters are illegal on public roads, bridleways and pavements in the UK, so not very helpful! Police can (and around here do) confiscate them from those riding illegally.

WhiskeyNeverStartsToTasteNice · 09/09/2021 16:17

@Waxonwaxoff0

We walk that far to primary school as I don't have a car. It's fine.

I think it's different walking with a parent/adult to primary school to walking to secondary school on your own. I think it's probably doable for secondary but I'm just not sure the two scenarios are comparable.

reluctantbrit · 09/09/2021 16:24

@Waxonwaxoff0 why? Most 11 year olds and older should be able to walk that much on their own, especially as I would assume there are lots of other children walking the same route.

The road DD walks to school is so busy, it’s actually a shared footpath and cycle path but you can’t cycle due to the sheer volume of children on the path.

Not sure what you think can happen?

@PatriciaHolm interesting. But if the only public transport near us is already free for under 16 year olds and is only covering 1/2 the distance or you take a bus, walk and take another bus I can’t see any interest in the council to offer anything,

My friend’s DC are at a school more than 3 miles away and the council just shrugs and points to the free bus travel they have anyway. And that is a fairly door-to-door bus. But as it a public bus it is absolutely crowded each day.

reluctantbrit · 09/09/2021 16:25

Sorry @Waxonwaxoff0, tagged you incorrectly.

PatriciaHolm · 09/09/2021 16:29

Indeed - most authorities, in reality, will offer a free bus pass and that's all. And just for the child, no accompanying parent (even for primary)...

MrsScrubbingbrush · 09/09/2021 16:37

My DDs started walking to & from school after lockdown as it was recommended to avoid public transport.

They still walk for 40/45 mins each day & enjoy it. DD1 misses it during holidays and walks around the local park for about an hour each day!

BeyondMyWits · 09/09/2021 16:41

Just make sure they have a decent backpack for books etc. Fashion at DDs school for a while was oversized handbags over an arm...try walking 2 miles with that filled to the brim with books,(and sports kit, and musical instrument, and art portfolio, and cooking ingredients, and waterbottle and lunch... Dds timetable one day a fortnight included all of these)

purplesequins · 09/09/2021 16:51

if my dc had to walk it would take about a 40 min.
they much prefer to cycle but I know that that is not an option for everyone.

in short, I think it's fine. it's good exercise and good for mental health.

SaffyWall · 09/09/2021 17:02

DS (13) walks 2.3 miles to school, and back. He has a good back back, waterproof coat and wears decent shoes to keep his feet warm and dry. He 'collects' various friends on the way to school and 'drops them off' on the way home. It's done wonders for his confidence and organisational skills. His Head Teacher encourages all the kids to walk as he thinks it helps them arrive ready to learn and the walk home helps them decompress from the day.

We do give him the occasional lift when we can but walking is the default.

Ozanj · 09/09/2021 17:08

I did it. I have a back of steel now due to the backpack I carried. But you will need to make sure she has a bottle of water and maybe some snacks. You can get really hungry!

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