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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To let them walk to school alone?

45 replies

ToTheGups · 02/09/2015 08:55

Two dc ages 10 and 7.5. Journey of less than a mile, one Road.

The journey involves walking along the footpath next to the road for 3 mins. Today during that 3 mins we saw 4 cars, just to give an idea of how busy it is.

I usually walk them but ds 10 occasionally walks home alone so is used to the journey.

My morning childcare has fallen through for the next two days and I am a bit stuck. My friend can have them from the required time but takes her own dc to a different school so they would have to walk alone.

So Abu to let them walk alone?

OP posts:
DonkeyOaty · 02/09/2015 09:04

Depends not just on the children but what school policy is.

Eg local primary accepts unaccompanied from Yr3. Can't remember what year age 7.5 is.

Original poster
ToTheGups · 02/09/2015 09:08

Oh I didn't even think whether school had a policy. 7.5 is Year 3 or first year juniors.

OP posts:
DonkeyOaty · 02/09/2015 09:23

If you feel they are going to be fine then go for it. Usual stuff about no larking about on the way, careful walking, etc.

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 02/09/2015 09:29

If the 10 year old has already done it, it will probably be ok.

As long as they get on reasonably well and won't fight all the way.

Probably better (safer) walking together, as one can fetch help if needed.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 02/09/2015 09:31

If they're walking together, get on, and the younger one will listen to the older one, then I say it should be ok.

If there's any risk of arsing around, then I wouldn't.

Gileswithachainsaw · 02/09/2015 09:33

If the younger one will listen to the older one then.go for it. Don't see a problem

Konserve · 02/09/2015 09:35

I don't see a problem with it.
maybe consider hi-vis in the future.

mabythesea · 02/09/2015 09:38

They'll be fine.

It doesn't matter what the "school policy" is - are they going to refuse to accept a child who walks to school alone Hmm

MissDuke · 02/09/2015 09:38

You know your children and the route better than anyone - if you think it is safe then it probably is. Do other children walk down the same way? There's always lots of people walking down our road to school which would offer further reassurance I think. My 10 year old has never walked up or down alone due to her having SN but many children in her class have been doing so for a few years now.

Gatehouse77 · 02/09/2015 09:43

Stuff 'school policy' it's about how confident you and your children are.

DonkeyOaty · 02/09/2015 09:44

Of course school will not turn away an unaccompanied child but contravening their bringing/collecting policy might invoke safeguarding procedures.

mabythesea · 02/09/2015 09:49

What safeguarding procedure could possibly be invoked due to junior age children walking to school?

Birdsgottafly · 02/09/2015 09:55

For two days, whilst the weather is as it is, it's fine.

Schools apply common sense, so, for two days, they'd might comment (if they're strict), but because it would end so soon, no further action would be taken.

My DD went to school on her own from around eight, because I have a younger disabled DD, getting picked up by the bus and I couldn't be in two places at once.

Chrysanthemum5 · 02/09/2015 10:00

I think it sounds fine. You know your children, and the road so have made a considered decision.

PaulAnkaTheDog · 02/09/2015 10:06

I am laughing at 'school policy'. What exactly will they do? Turn them away at the gate and tell them to go home, get a parent and come back? OP, as long as they are mature enough and the younger one will listen to the older one, then I think you're fine!

Original poster
ToTheGups · 02/09/2015 12:38

Sorry I was busy in work and forgot to reply.

There are no other children walking that way because all the children in our area go to the local school which is a 2 minute walk away. Only I was daft enough to send them to the other school.

I think they can manage for the 10/15 mins it would take without larking about. They are generally sensible well behaved kids. I would be wary of it being a regular thing for the younger one but the novelty of being allowed is pretty much guaranteed to ensure good behaviour.

OP posts:
ErinnW · 02/09/2015 13:22

A seven year old child is too young to walk to school with anyone other than a responsible adult. A ten year old who is going into year six I assume would be fine to walk a short distance by themselves, especially as they'll be doing just that a year later at secondary school but under no circumstances should they be responsible for a child as young as seven.

mabythesea · 02/09/2015 13:25

No they aren't Erinn. Plenty of 7-10 year olds walk to school without an adult at my son's school and our other local schools.

scarlets · 02/09/2015 13:41

It's fine. I did a similar walk to that at nearly 8 as did lots of friends. My children have been walking since 7 (but it's an "easy" one, so not comparable).

Lurkedforever1 · 02/09/2015 13:47

Depends entirely how sensible they are, and whether the younger will obey the older. I would however give the 10yr old use of a phone, either incase there is a problem on the way, and to drop you a text confirming they've arrived.

DamsonInDistress · 02/09/2015 13:49

I disagree that a junior child shouldn't walk to school alone per se, but it does depend on the could and your schools policy. You can say stuff it all you like but if the school do set CP or safeguarding procedures in motion it might consist of permanent notes on your child's files, referrals to the LA protection team, possibly seeking advice from Social Services teams in serious cases. All of which result in your and your child's details being noted far and wide and there is little right of defence or reply. It's part of what is hamstringing parents' ability to make decisions these days.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 02/09/2015 14:42

I walked to junior school by myself almost from the word go - so 7 upwards. But there were a lot of other children going the same way, even some of my friends, and there was a lollipop lady on the crossroads of 2 streets (the only tricky crossing), and it was only 5 mins from home.

DS1 has asked when he can walk to school by himself - but it involves a 20 minute walk, including walking out of his way down to the pedestrian crossing (with lights), and then 3 more road crossings, one of which has zero assistance, and the other 2 of which are at least zebra crossings, but still pretty dangerous.

I've told him maybe when he's 12; he might have developed enough sense by then, but I'm not sure...

Original poster
ToTheGups · 02/09/2015 15:49

I am sure social services and the LA are stretched enough without investigating two junior children that have made a 10 min journey alone on the way to school. However if that did happen I have nothing to hide and am confident that nothing further would come of it.

The route involves walking down the side of the horses field on the outside of the fence. (1 min) Along the road on the footpath for about (3 mins) then across the road. Down the hill which is a path with no Road next to it just a big hill leading up to the road they just crossed, the hill and road run parallel but the path slopes down where's the road stays level (5 mins) the along the side of another field which is directly opposite the school (3 mins).
So of the entire journey they will be near any Road for 3 mins.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 02/09/2015 15:54

I'm sure they'll be fine OP, especially if your 7yr old listens to the 10yr old. It's only a ten minute walk after all.

WorraLiberty · 02/09/2015 15:57

WRT school policy.

The Primary school I'm a governor at, has no staff supervision before school in the Infants playground. So whilst they wouldn't refuse to take an infant child in (obviously), the parents would be reminded that it's a safeguarding issue.

The playground is too small and too packed for members of staff to be able to supervise it, so the parents/carers have to stay with their kids until the bell goes.