AIBU to think Driving instructors shouldn't practice parking in a venue specifically designed for children.

[Temp123999]

Just that really just dropped my yr8 boy at a venue that is for his chosen sport he's a touch above average height for his age.
When he's going in they have the smaller children aged 3 to 9 coming out it's dark and some of the parents seem to pick up other kids, I Just don't think it's a suitable place for a 17/18 year old to practice reverse or Parallel parking.
I realise it's the responsibility of the parents to keep kids safe but it's incredibly busy.
Driving instructor disagreed and said it's a public place.
Thoughts please...

Surely regardless of whether they’re a learner or not, people are reversing/driving/parking. IN A CAR PARK!

It's the instructor's judgement call to make. He's not going to take somewhere there on their first lesson.
There's absolutely no point teaching someone to reverse in an empty car park. Even learner drivers need to be prepared for RL driving situations. And I'd imagine the parents are doubly attentive when they see it's a learners' car.

I'm with YANBU. I was taught bay parking in a relatively empty car park. Yes I also practiced a bit in busier supermarket car parks, but that was after I'd got the technique sorted.

I say the learner and instructor definitely shouldn't have been practicing parking somewhere they're not allowed to park! Unless they've arranged permission I think that would be trespass?

To those who say the driving instructor was reasonable - would you be happy with driving school cars using your driveway at home to practice parking while your children are playing in the front garden?

I'd rather a learner driver had an instructor (complete with brake pedal) by their side to learn to reverse when people are about, then have to do it first time on their own.
Drivers need to learn in real life situations in order to be able to cope with real life situations.

The first time I learned how to reverse bay park, it was in Morrison's car park - and I had to park between two already-parked cars.

I was terrified but in hindsight it was a really good idea. I got to learn in a "real" place with real hazards and I had my instructor there to be a second pair of eyes so I didn't hit anything.

Incidentally I had to do that manoeuvre on my test and my examiner said it was perfect

YABU. Children are surely at less risk of being run over because there are 2 pairs of eyes and 2 brakes. One pair of eyes belongs to a driving professional. I’m curious to know if there are any statistics to suggest small children are at particular risk from learner drivers.

@Temp123999 I stated in my OP the age of my son not sure why you need to be so rude.

I'm assuming your child was a toddler at some point, and didn't emerge from you a fully-sized 13 year old.

I don't think I was particularly rude, more frustrated that you are so dismissive of the views that you asked for.

FYI a public place is any place that the public an access, the fact that you pay for parking doesn't make it private.