Son *thinks* he walks to school alone

[alwaysinamuddle]

My 6 year old son has been asking for 4 months if he can walk to school on his own. He's friends with a lot of older children who all do and he wants to join in.

During the week before half term I "agreed" for him to use his scooter and scoot "alone" as usually when I'm with him he's miles ahead of me anyway.
We live about 10 minutes from his school and he has to cross two main roads which are traffic-lighted, and one by his school which isn't. I told him he's not to cross that road unless other parents and children are crossing too. He carries a watch with him so he can check the time and decide which entrance to the school he would like to use. We've had many conversations about Road safety, stranger danger and the like.

Anyway, all of that is explanation to my question. When he thinks he's alone, I am actually following from a distance and he is always in my line of sight. He hasn't noticed me yet, and I'm able to let him build his independence while satisfying my protective instincts IYSWIM.

Yet, I had a phone call from the school telling me that DS is not to walk to school alone, and even when I explained, and even with other parents being able to confirm I had been watching they have told me it's a cause of concern for them and they would have to treat it as neglect and report it if I were to continue.

AIBU to think that there's nothing wrong which mine and DS setup and the school are being very OTT?

I've already explained, I do trust DS
It's not about trust, it's about ability.
In terms of brain development, children under 8 are not good enough at being able to assess the speed of traffic. They make incorrect and unsafe judgements too much of the time. They can be taught various independence skills but you cannot speed up brain development. At the age of 6, he should never be crossing roads where there is traffic unless under the direct supervision of an adult. 5-10 seconds behind is not direct supervision.
Cultures where children are allowed to do this independently, tend to have fewer cars and more children walking on their own. This creates a safer environment.

The walking bus does seem like the best idea for the situation, love the idea

OP you know your son best. If you know he can get there safely, it's your call. He's learning to be responsible. Funny how the UK way of doing everything is 'right' and loads of European are getting it 'wrong'.

I think the suggestion that you're giving in to what he wants is ridiculous.

Here's my thoughts on the issue-
It is not that you are 'just out of his line of sight'- it is that other people, not the nice ones, the who are worried for him and have rung the school, but the not so nice ones who could physically pick him up, scooter and all and throw him in the back of a van that may well be watching him, also believing him to be unsupervised that is the risk.
Whilst I take on board that you know your own child best, have made what you consider to be suitable risk assessment, I would say, as a parent, teacher and Scouter that most 6 year olds are in general, not fully capable of making sound judgements in an emergency scenario, and that is why he should have to walk with you for a little longer yet.
No amount of Stranger Danger and Road safety awareness training can protect a small person from a careless driver or a determined paedophile. He is definitely safer with you by his side.

You let your son walk "alone" at six?! That's Mental Op! It's even more mental that your watching him.

I agree with school

He can't see you but you could get to him in seconds, you must be fast. ! If he needs help crossing from other parents then he isn't ready to be travelling to school alone regardless of his age.