Considering a 5 hours per day school run

[Cactusowl]

My son has been offered a place at a lovely school which is around an hour away. It’s an independent SEN school and will suit him so much better than his current mainstream.
We are taking our council to a tribunal in the hope they will name the school on my sons EHCP and therefore pay the fees/taxi. The court date isn’t set until October. I have the option to pay for the school myself so he can start in September, I will have to drive him myself for a minimum of half a term or max 3 years if we lose our appeal.

Has anyone done a long school run like this? Was it manageable and did it get any easier? AIBU to even consider this journey is sustainable?

[WhatAShilohPitt]

That’s great, OP! So happy for you!

[deliciouschilli]

Really happy for you and your son, hope it makes your lives lots easier.

[WelliesandWine88]

Ok...so perspective from the child's side.

My mum did this for me. 4 hrs drive daily.. I am more thankful than she'll ever know! It was for one year (my last year at school). I'd been bullied horrifically at a, frankly crap school, by both parents and students alike.
I'd been in a private school, moved to a public school (where I was bullied, along with my siblings, in ways you wouldn't believe for 'being a posh snob') and after extensive research ended up in a sxhiil64 hrs away.
I LOVED it. Still friends with people now 16 years later. In one year I did 2years worth of work, first choice of uni, managed to almost fix the damage done to me emotionally /self esteem etc..

I am so so grateful to my parents for their immense efforts in that year. ❤️

[wouldthatbeworse]

So pleased for you OP. Well done for fighting for your family

[altiara]

Great news!

[SusannahSophia]

That’s brilliant, OP. Onwards and upwards.

[Zzelda]

Excellent, OP, I'm so glad the council has accepted its legal duties.

[catfunk]

Still don't get how it's 5 hours ?

[ThinWomansBrain]

Why not pay for taxis?

[yacketyyak]

I'm delighted for you OP.
I currently do 2.5 hours of school runs daily and it really drains me.
Onwards and upwards for you x

[secular39]

I'm so glad OP that you got this. I'm so happy that you didn't back down when some players were saying that you should move your DC home a nearer school. Unless you have a child with SEN or are deeply interested in their educations (as let's face it- some parents are not) they have no idea that we have very little choice in terms of schools, including a very good school which had a 100000 children on their waiting lists. Well done!!

[WetWeekends]

Well done OP that’s great news. I hope he’s very happy there.

[NumberTheory]

Fantastic OP! So happy for you and your DC..