To send my 8 years old son to school on the bus?

[loveblueskys]

Hi all,

So DS1 is 8, 9 next month he's in yr4. So the school he goes to is about 2.6 miles from where we currently live (we used to live 5 minutes away from school before we moved in here - 2 years ago) We've been doing the drop off and pick ups of course.

As things have changed now currently pregnant and with 3 years old toddler who goes to nursery since this September, DH works hours, it became quite hard to do the school journeys with DS1.

I had a discussion with DH about sending DS1 to school and back on the bus only one bus straight from our main road to school main road (5-10 minutes walk to the bus stops.

DS is very sensible, mature enough for his age and responsible. He also very good with the journey on his own as we've tested him quite few times to lead us.

We're considering giving him a mobile phone ofc. My only concern is that what if the bus goes on diversion?

Has any of you sent DCs to school alone at around similar age? Just looking for some reassurance. TIA

No! Imagine if something happened to him!

I'm relaxed but there is no way I'd let my eldest do this and he is 9, 10 in a few weeks. Maybe in year 6 when 11, but not before.

@HelpMeWithMyHip

I'm relaxed but there is no way I'd let my eldest do this and he is 9, 10 in a few weeks. Maybe in year 6 when 11, but not before.

What is the significant difference between 10and 11?

@TirednWorried 12 months..

Don think Op is coming back..

So he's have to do the 5-10 minute walk alone? I'm not sure if he 100% comfortable with this at his age- can you put him in before school care and drop him off earlier?

I think it's totally fine and very common where I'm from. But I'm not Britis. According to British standards it would be frowned upon

No, I wouldn't do this. I'm not sure a bus driver (except of a dedicated school service) would take an unaccompanied child that age, either. Where I live the only primary aged children getting school buses without adults are those at prep schools who get dedicated mini buses, a parent waits at the stop with them.

Our local primary will let children walk to school in y5 but only with permission and its based on a) proximity to school and b) how sensible the child in question is and c) there being someone home when they get there.