2 mile walk to secondary school too far?

[Somewhereonlywego]

I'm not sure how long it would take, 40, 45 mins?

I could give lifts where possible on WFH days, but that wouldn't be every day.

There's a bus, but only one an hour and not sure how reliable it would be. But could be an option for super rainy days?

We’re nearly 2 miles from the village primary school, 3 miles from the nursery, and lots of DCs walk both ways, every day from our estate. There isn’t any public transport at an appropriate time so no choice.
DGCs walked a similar distance from the age of 3 or so, to their nursery or school, regardless of weather etc.

We walked a bit further than this to Secondary. We used to all meet up and collect as we walked, so we'd start off with two walking and then more and more would join. It was a great way to sociaise before and after school.

It is not too far. We've lost sight a bit of what 'walking' actually looks like. Exercise is good.

I think it's fine

Why do so many people think 40 minutes of fairly light exercise for a teenager is too much?

Our secondary is 2 miles, my Dd genuinely enjoys the walk, considers it part of her daily exercise (she’s quite sporty though). She doesn’t play cricket or the double bass though, most she ever has to carry is PE kit and food tech ingredients.

My sons walk 2 miles to / from school. Takes 40 - 45 minutes. They do usually get a half way lift in the mornings as they have an early start but always walk the whole way home with their mates, which they enjoy. It's the local school so there are hoards of kids who do it. It's sociable so not too onerous.

My sons walk 2 miles to / from school. Takes 40 - 45 minutes. They do usually get a half way lift in the mornings as they have an early start but always walk the whole way home with their mates, which they enjoy. It's the local school so there are hoards of kids who do it. It's sociable so not too onerous.

It’s fine
Especially as you can sometimes give a lift and there’s possibly a bus. Is cycling an option?

Depends on the walk, on dark evenings will it be safe or along an unlit country lane etc.
If the bus runs then does it run at school times for when they have a lot of kit to take it or it's freezing?
Can they ride a bike and store it if theyneed to at school?
How will thry get back if they are doing a sport?
Do you have a car if they are ill and need someone to collect them?
Do taxis run in your area for emergencies?

Mind blown that anyone thinks walking 2 miles is too far for a healthy tween/teen, even with a rucksack and maybe another bag

I don’t think it’s too much if they’re feeling fit and well. But I think if it’s torrential rain and they’re under the weather and have heavy stuff to carry then a 40 minute walk isn’t ideal. I think that most of the time it’ll be fine so it wouldn’t put me off sending them but it’s good to get different opinions.

I used to walk 2 miles to high school, back in the mid 80s. There wasn’t a school bus & local service buses were v unreliable. Occasionally got a lift from a passing neighbour if raining. Often had cookery basket, PE kit, hockey stick/boots etc. A couple of us walked together.

It's quite a wide catchment so not sure how many other kids will be walking the same route. Although I have DD2 so once she's there too they could walk together.

Hoping with the back up of bus / lift occasionally, it will be OK? Appreciate winter might not be too enjoyable.

Possibly doable?
can you car share ?

We live just over 2 miles from the secondary school (only one in our town. It is right at one side at the top of a hill and we live almost at the other side of town)

I work in our town so I drive the kids to school and then go to work. They walk home unless it is absolutely hammering it down and the DH who WFH mostly will go and pick them up if he can.

For lots of children that distance is the nearest school so not much choice. One of my DDs primary schools was over that by road and sometimes we had to walk it (it was exactly 1.996 miles according to the council, as the crow flies over the valley which we had to walk down).

But... having a plan B would be preferable... fir those days with heavy rain, or heavy equipment, or they have basketball to 5pm in midwinter etc.

I have just checked Google maps and my boys walk to school 2.2 miles away. Takes about 40 mins. It is downhill there so getting home is a chore. I pick them up 3 days a week

Walking is great when the weather is good and you are in the mood for it. It can be fucking miserable when you are tired and the weather is shit. Is there is no reasonable alternative?

I don't think it's too much but I think it is hard in the dark, if they are walking alone with several bags in all weathers.
DC school had no lockers so they had to take everything in every day.

There was a thread the other day that didn't want a teenage girl walking home for ten minutes (with other friends) for safety reasons. Most people agreed.

I'd go for it but look a bit more into the bus.

Do the walk and time it. Also, look out for crossing points and danger zones then evaluate.

2mi is not too far to walk, however I don't enjoy walking (and didn't in school) so I would cycle it.

Do the walk and time it. Also, look out for crossing points and danger zones then evaluate.

Have you tried looking at the cycle route maps on sus trans or even just asking google maps for a cycle route to school. I used to cycle to work and the obvious route that I drove was horrible busy roads but I found some short cuts through parks etc and made a much nicer route. 2 miles would be less than 20 minutes by bike.

Only you know your own kids and whether they'd be able to do it 😊 How would you feel about a 45 minute walk twice a day (or longer if they're slow walkers), carrying a backpack and lunchbox, possibly PE kit, probably half the year in rain or dark? I wouldn't want to do it personally, although I would if I had to. If you have no alternative for schooling though, they'll have to though, won't they? Yes it's entirely possible but it's a long way for an 11 year old. Is it a safe route?

Those things are not going to happen every day, and other arrangements can be made if necessary.

I would say walking should be the norm.