AIBU to ask from what age my child can walk home without an adult?

[Cuppaand2biscuits]

I currently pay £9 per child, per session, 3 times a week for my children to stay in after school care.
I finish work at 4 and have always collected them by 4 30. The school day ends at 3 30, we live a safe 5 minute walk away. With just one small residential road to cross. From what age can I let them walk home and let themselves in.
Do I have to wait until eldest is year 6?
Which would put youngest in year 4.

Our local school says children must be accompanied by an adult until Year 4.

Depends on you, your child and the after school policy.

our school is year 6. they won't even let year 6 DD walk out to my car with year 4 DS, the teacher has to discharge him into the care of me or DH, he has to actually see us!

Thanks, did think about the school having a policy. On the days I do pick up at 3 30 the infants need to be discharged to an adult but the juniors just spill out unsupervised.

*didn't think

Our school will allow from year 5 or earlier if you speak to the school and they agree with your assessment of how safe your child will be. Our daughter walks half way by herself in the morning and from Sept when she is in yr 5 she will be transitioning to making whole trips there and back alone.
That said, we will be at home when she arrives. I don't think they are old enough to come home to an empty house until year 7.

We live 2 minutes from school with 2 small, quiet roads. I let ds walk home from year 5 but I was at home and could investigate quickly if more than 5 minutes late. From year 6 I was more relaxed. I wouldn't let a Year 4 do it but it really depends on your dc and how sensible they are.

Mine are Y6 and Y4 and walk home together 2 days a week. I wouldn’t have let the Y6 be responsible for the Y4 any younger than this. Also Y6 DD has a phone so can call me if any problems.