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Original poster

Should schools be telling parents to walk kids to school?

223 replies

bellamountain · 19/05/2022 22:49

This isn't an argument for the environment or to keep kids fit but to stop the roads around schools becoming so dangerously congested and for parents who do need to drive their kids, to be able to do so and not have to battle for parking. I take the kids to school and then have to shoot off to work, any one doing the same and the car is essential. However, the majority of the mums at my school do not work, they could easily walk their kids the relatively short distance but choose not too. They all have huge cars and all aim to get as close to the school as possible, it makes crossing the road dangerous, even with a one way system in place enforced by the school. Parents also sitting in their cars with the engines idling with the heater or air con. I'll be the first to admit that I love my car and I couldn't live without it, but when I'm not at work I walk to school and back. It's far less stressful yet the same parents clog the roads every day. I swear it's a pissing contest sometimes to flaunt who has the nicest car and this is a state school!

OP posts:
JanePrentiss · 19/05/2022 22:52

Schools can suggest it, but the convenience and luxury of a car means very few would change their habits. Plus, they might not have work to get to, but may have other commitments or plans for after the drop off.

Original poster
bellamountain · 19/05/2022 22:55

Fair enough but the catchment is very small for my school, it wouldn't take very long to nip back for the car and then go on to another commitment. It's just too many cars in tight spaces and corners and ultimately not a very safe space around the school.

OP posts:
Rumplestrumpet · 19/05/2022 22:56

There are School Streets initiatives in many parts of London where every street around a school close for 30-45mins around drop off and pick up time. Parents are forced to park further away (or face a very hefty fine). It works really well and I think more schools should do it.

I drive too but try to avoid it for school whenever possible and I hate the selfish driving of many parents.

carefullycourageous · 19/05/2022 22:58

If you drive, you're being hypocritical, sorry. Cars are an absolute menace, but you need to lead by example.

I got rid of our car 5 years ago as I couldn't be a hypocrite any longer!

orwellwasright · 19/05/2022 22:59

I think most schools regularly run walk/scoot/cycle to school initiatives don't they?

Thepossibility · 19/05/2022 22:59

My school does. It even sent out maps of suggested safe routes. If you chat to your school they probably will?

RedSoloCup · 19/05/2022 23:02

I've been walking the ten mins to school wherever possible for years, I'm in the minority and I think people think I'm crazy walking when I have a car !! Literally everyone else in my road drives there every day!

Hedonism · 19/05/2022 23:04

the catchment is very small for my school, it wouldn't take very long to nip back for the car and then go on to another commitment

You sound a bit judgy tbh. Why don't you do this?

orwellwasright · 19/05/2022 23:06

I loved that bit in the first series of Motherland where the Lucy Punch character (Amanda?) parks on the zigzags outside school.

Recently I saw a school run mum park near our school (cul de sac) so that the road was completely blocked. There's a care home at the end and someone was prevented from driving to work there. She was (understandably) apoplectic, pointing out that an ambulance would be fucked trying to get to the care home.

School run mum just tutted and said 'I've only been five minutes'. Hilarious.

dogschewbones · 19/05/2022 23:07

Try and persuade the school to
trial a School Street. Transformed my kids’ schools.

Borka · 19/05/2022 23:08

So you think other people should walk so that it's easier for you to drive?

DuggeeHugPlease · 19/05/2022 23:08

If it's so quick to nip back to get the car then you should also do so and then travel on to work. The other parents may have commitments that are just as important and time sensitive.

Ireallymustgetup · 19/05/2022 23:09

I hate school interfering in things like this. Just adds to stress and mum guilt. My DD is 7. Her primary school have been doing ‘walk to school’ week this week, a leaflet with activities (like walking to school with a friend) to complete and stickers for those that do. We live more than two miles away from school and she gets the school transport that is provided by the council. This enables me to work longer hours. She has been really upset that others are getting stickers for doing something she can’t. Before I increased my work hours we did cycle/walk to school once or twice most weeks.

Original poster
bellamountain · 19/05/2022 23:09

carefullycourageous · 19/05/2022 22:58

If you drive, you're being hypocritical, sorry. Cars are an absolute menace, but you need to lead by example.

I got rid of our car 5 years ago as I couldn't be a hypocrite any longer!

I don't live in a city, I live in a town. I work out of town on a business park with no public transport. There is absolutely no way I could get to work without my car. It's also a lifeline in being able to ferry the kids around to various clubs and activities, the freedom it brings on a weekend, being able to go somewhere at the drop of a hat without having to worry about public transport. How am I being a hypocrite when I mention it's far safer for the tiny rounds around schools not to be gridlocked with cars? I love my car but I don't believe people should be using them to drive 10 minutes up the road to go home again.

OP posts:
100problems · 19/05/2022 23:10

I am a school SLT. Here's how this would go:

Dear Parents

You can't drive your children to school. You should all walk from wherever it is you live.

from School

Dear School,

We can drive our legally MOT'd, insured and taxed vehicles where we choose and you can do the square root of fuck all to stop us.

From Parents

easyday · 19/05/2022 23:11

You can't drive down the block the local school is on without getting a ticket during drop off and pick up times, catchment area is small so I imagine just about everyone walks.
Even if those other mums don't work they may be heading off to the gym or whatever. As you drive you can't comment.

orwellwasright · 19/05/2022 23:12

OP, I am enjoying your insistence that you're busy and important and therefore entitled to use your car but everyone else should walk.

Maybe you are actually Amanda from Motherland. Lol.

myuterusistryingtokillme · 19/05/2022 23:13

bellamountain · 19/05/2022 22:55

Fair enough but the catchment is very small for my school, it wouldn't take very long to nip back for the car and then go on to another commitment. It's just too many cars in tight spaces and corners and ultimately not a very safe space around the school.

But if it wouldn't take long to nip home and pick the car up, surely the same could be said for those that go to work afterwards?

PaddleBoardingMomma · 19/05/2022 23:14

Op...do you park several streets away and walk the extra 5 minutes to ease congestion and lower the risk yourself?

No didn't think so.

Original poster
bellamountain · 19/05/2022 23:14

Hedonism · 19/05/2022 23:04

the catchment is very small for my school, it wouldn't take very long to nip back for the car and then go on to another commitment

You sound a bit judgy tbh. Why don't you do this?

I am judging in this situation your right. I've already pointed out I have no issue with parents needing to take the car to then go to work after. My walking route is through a field, it's not practical when I've got to go to work and have another child to drop off on the way. If I didn't have to go to work I would absolutely walk and do on my days off.

OP posts:
TheFormidableMrsC · 19/05/2022 23:14

This week has been "Walk to School" week. Our school actively encourages walking. We walk because it's only 15 mins and it's good for us. I drive only if the weather is truly appalling but otherwise we walk all year round. It's chaos outside of school in the morning and I feel sorry for the imposition on local residents. So many drive when they really don't need to.

TheUndoingProject · 19/05/2022 23:14

So to be clear, you think you have lots of good, valid reasons for driving and none of the other parents do?

If the catchment is small enough to drop kids off and then go back for the car then… do that? You can’t expect others to do something you won’t actually do yourself.

orwellwasright · 19/05/2022 23:15

100problems · 19/05/2022 23:10

I am a school SLT. Here's how this would go:

Dear Parents

You can't drive your children to school. You should all walk from wherever it is you live.

from School

Dear School,

We can drive our legally MOT'd, insured and taxed vehicles where we choose and you can do the square root of fuck all to stop us.

From Parents

I think the OP is after something a little different...

Dear Parents (except bellamountain who has a very busy and important job)

You can't drive your children to school. You should all walk from wherever it is you live.

from School

Hedonism · 19/05/2022 23:15

bellamountain · 19/05/2022 23:09

I don't live in a city, I live in a town. I work out of town on a business park with no public transport. There is absolutely no way I could get to work without my car. It's also a lifeline in being able to ferry the kids around to various clubs and activities, the freedom it brings on a weekend, being able to go somewhere at the drop of a hat without having to worry about public transport. How am I being a hypocrite when I mention it's far safer for the tiny rounds around schools not to be gridlocked with cars? I love my car but I don't believe people should be using them to drive 10 minutes up the road to go home again.

Show quote history

Gridlocked with cars like yours, you mean? 😂

You still haven't explained why it's ok for you to drive but not anyone else.

LibrariesGiveUsPower · 19/05/2022 23:17

Schools should encourage it for sure, but for some people it’s not possible due to work or unsafe routes.