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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Can your child walk to secondary school from your house?

149 replies

DarkGreen · 05/06/2021 19:23

We are moving to a new area where the secondary school will be a 10 to 15 minute bus ride away from home for the kids and I feel funny about it. My kids aren't anywhere near secondary school age but don't plan on moving again.

AIBU considering only buying somewhere with a secondary/high school within walking distance or is it more normal they have to travel?

OP posts:
bunburyscucumbersandwich · 05/06/2021 19:26

No. Nearest school is 5 miles away and no pavements or paths as it's a rural location.

Hellocatshome · 05/06/2021 19:26

DS1 has to get the bus, its a school minibus as he is on a sports scholarship. DS2 goes to a different school and can wall, takes about 30 minutes.

gingganggooleywotsit · 05/06/2021 19:27

Yes my dd can but it’s a 45 min walk. When I was at school I took a 20 min bus journey, pretty normal to travel I’d say

megletthesecond · 05/06/2021 19:27

Yes. Middle of town. Both DC's can walk to their secondary schools. Approx 1 mile.

Anatomical · 05/06/2021 19:27

Totally normal to get the bus here - it's also a 10/15 min journey for mine. There are always loads of kids doing the same journey and I've found it gives lots of confidence for then making other bus journeys. My 14 year old has started venturing further afield with friends to other local towns and attractions which has been great.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 05/06/2021 19:28

We live 5mins walk away.

However, they are at one of the two feeder Primary schools for that Secondary within walking distance. The others in the surrounding villages are up to 5 miles away.

(At one of their previous primary schools they went for 30mins on the school bus)

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeep · 05/06/2021 19:28

No, mine has a 40 minute bus ride. Soon to be a one hour 2 bus ride when we move. There are closer schools but he preferred this one.

TeenMinusTests · 05/06/2021 19:28

yes. But loads of the other pupils get the school bus / scheduled bus or train.

TotorosCatBus · 05/06/2021 19:28

Yes but a bus ride of 19-15 minutes is fine imo. If the bus is regular then you can feel less guilty. If it's a popular route then it'll be extra socialising

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeep · 05/06/2021 19:29

Sorry, it's not 40 minutes, I was including walking and waiting at the bus stop time. The actual bus is 25 minutes. The whole journey is 40 minutes/soon to be an hour

Flowerlane · 05/06/2021 19:29

We are semi rural. Secondary school is nearly 5 miles away. Buses are full so we are driving.

Lancrelady80 · 05/06/2021 19:29

No! Nearest high school is 20mins on the school bus. Travelling to high school is just part of growing up, unless you live in somewhere like a city which has multiple secondary school options (but probably also issues with places/catchment areas.)

So many small primary schools have closed that 5 year olds go on a school bus locally, and all is fine, although I have to say I wouldn't be happy with that myself.

HelenHywater · 05/06/2021 19:30

I suspect it depends where you live. Here in London my children and most of their friends walk to their (non selective, state) secondary schools.

Where I grew up, I could walk - it was around 45 mins or get the bus. Most people got the bus I think.

ProudPolyGradSingleMum · 05/06/2021 19:31

Rural area. Mine even got a bus to primary school never mind the longer bus to secondary!

Anonaymoose · 05/06/2021 19:31

Yes, 2 minute walk, can see the school from our house. His primary was a 7 minute walk. It's been great as he's walked to school with his pals for years.

Roselilly36 · 05/06/2021 19:31

My DS’ had a very short walk to High School, about 5-6mins door to door, when I went to high school I had a 20min walk to bus stop, half an hour bus journey and then a 10 minute walk into school, always walked home in the dark in winter. Not ideal but got used to it.

2pinkginsplease · 05/06/2021 19:31

Within walking distance for school was important for us,

Dh and I both went to a school that had school transport. It was 6 mile s away with no directs bus link, we missed a lot of after school activities due to having to get the school bus home and i was determined to live within walking distance of school ( my mum didn’t need drive) .

Iggly · 05/06/2021 19:31

Did you walk to secondary school? I assume that’s influencing your thinking.

I got the bus to school and it was a fair journey across London. It was great to have that independence as a child.

TheresWaldo · 05/06/2021 19:32

Mine has a 15 min walk or 5 min bus ride. She normally cycles so somewhere in the middle. Many of her friends have a longer journey via public transport.

DancesWithDaffodils · 05/06/2021 19:33

Can we walk (under 10 mins) to A secondary school? Yes. Are we in catchment for it? No.
So, DS gets the bus.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 05/06/2021 19:33

Yes, it was not negotiable for me when buying a house. I grew up a bus ride away and hated not living near to my friends

TheresWaldo · 05/06/2021 19:33

We moved on purpose though - to be in catchment.

KateTheEighth · 05/06/2021 19:34

My kids get the bus to school. It's about 20 mins. They enjoy it - chatting to their mates and having a laugh. And they've got to know lots of other kids from other year groups.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 05/06/2021 19:34

No. 11+ miles involving biblical-level hills. In Wales, so raining most of the time too 😂

HerRoyalNotness · 05/06/2021 19:35

No, It would take about an hour and it’s not really safe. I’m a bit annoyed we are zoned to that school. They get a school bus. There is one closer but still not walkable, it with more options of places to go nearby (for a coffee/socialising) if they have an after school activity and need picking up later.