To expect more from the school

[TerrysNo3]

DS1 is in Y3, one of his friends' parents work full time and the eldest DC (age 12) looks after the other 2 after school each day (ages 8 and 10). The 8 and 10 year old usually cycle home together, its about a mile.

On Friday we were leaving school and I saw the 8yo cycling up the path on his own. I asked who he was with and he explained that his 10yo sibling had already gone home as his club had been cancelled. He then said that the school had phoned his DM and she told them he could cycle home alone. I phoned and confirmed this with the school.

I just couldn't let him go on his own so we walked him home. Aside from the fact I can't believe his parents are happy with this arrangement I am really surprised the school agreed it was OK for an 8yo (who was 8 in the last few weeks) cycle home alone.

AIBU to expect the school to not blindly agree with the parents? Shouldn't this be a safeguarding issue?

Please feel free to tell me if I'm way off the mark. Thanks

It was none of your business, tbh. There is no safeguarding issue. In Y3, I would have said I'd meet my dd halfway as we live near an A Road but otherwise I'd trust them to cycle home. The school contacted the parents and agreed a solution. The parent was aware of when the child left so would know when to expect them. It might be a little odd if it was every day as you can never be certain when kids get out of school but this seems fine to me.

I think you acted with the very best of intentions, it might not of been the right way to go, but as you say if anything had happened you wouldn't have been able to forgive yourself.

It also sounds as if the young boy was giving out some nervousness as he said he'd only done it once before and this was due to a misunderstanding.

The child arrived home safely - main objective achieved.

I'd always rather someone stopped and asked then decided what to do. I think the boy was probably also more reassured when you asked. If this was my child I would thank you for your concern and time you gave up, I'd also explain if I felt what you had done had upset me.

Ultimately I would still say your heart was in the right place.

First of all maybe in ken and Chelsea the school mums are too precious to allow their dahlings out on the filthy pavements, but where I live in London, my eight year old walks home alone or with her 10 year old sister and the school allow this from age 7 onwards. So no its not true that the police or SS get involved !!!

Op

You don't actually know the family at all tho do u? You've just had a play date with the child, you said you front have the parents number, so you are assuming a hell of a lot.

It's none of your cadswallop madam