Does this sound ok? School run…

[Mrsupanddown]

I tried to get all the kids in to one school which is 5 minutes from us but the appeal was rejected. So I have left oldest DS at the school and DD is joining him. Youngest DS is at the school nearest to home.

I plan to drop DS (9) at school with DD (8) at 8:35. There school gates don’t open until 8:40.

So they will queue up outside with the other kids and parents. DS will wait until DD goes into her class then he will go to his.

I will be able to drop youngest off then in time for his gates opening at 8:45.

Does this sound ok and safe enough?

No, I wouldn’t want my 8yr old walking to school alone I’m sorry that shouldn’t be the norm!

I think it’s fine, there is always children who are natural early birds. They can walk in with the others when the gate opens.

Im glad my childten went to a relatively sabe school who did Road Safety sessions with the older children (From Summer term Yr4) for the soecific purpose if encouraging independent travel from Yr5 (or from a drop off point for those in the further reaches of Catchment). They all played out from a similar age.

@StandingDeskDisco @Stressedoutmummyof3 the school has two members of staff on the gates, morning and afternoon to welcome children and chat to any parents. Children in year 5 and above are allowed to be unaccompanied but younger needs a parent or caregiver to be present until they are through the gates into school! It’s very common and same rules with three local primaries so I just assumed it was same everywhere?!

My kids school allows them to walk home alone from year 3, so I think this is fine.

I am a teacher and we would not allow this. Can you speak to a particular parent who is there every day and ask them if your children can stand with them until they go in? It’s not safe to leave children that age with no adult supervision. It would probably be fine until it’s not and something happens. Or is there a breakfasts club?

I wouldn't, but that could be my own childhood talking. Things can go wrong unexpectedly.

Our DC are at different schools because one needs a SEN school, and they start at the same time with a 10 minute driving distance between them.
One of them is always late - however it doesn't affect their attendance record as we spoke to the school beforehand.

My son's Junior school had a main gate, that the caretaker opened at 7.30 am, to allow teaching staff etc onto the school grounds. The gate going into where the classrooms were was opened at 8.35 am, but this gate is within the school grounds. It very much depends if you're leaving your children outside an unlocked gate, that isn't on school grounds? Or if it's a similar set up to my son's school?

My son's Junior school allowed children to walk to/from school from Year 5 onwards. However, Year 3 and 4 were expected to have a parent present during drop off/pick up.

Only you know the set up of your children's school, we don't. I would look at the schools policy, and also if they allow an older sibling within the school to 'drop off' a younger sibling at the school.

I think it's fine as long as they are sensible children.
I walked to school with a friend aged about 8.

I agree, it varies. I’m in Ireland but primary school children (which is to age 12 or 13 here) at our local school must be collected by an adult at the gate. It’s a rural area and the roads near the school aren’t safe for walking.
No doubt the rules are different in other schools.

FFS, what is wrong with schools these days? All my kids were travelling independently to and from school by bus at 7/8 years old.

A sibling didn’t get a place?

Would it be an option to stay with dc until gates open at 8.40 then go to younger child’s school for 8.50?

I’m in the UK and they allow it here in a lot of schools, but you usually need to let the school know in writing if they are under 10.

They can’t but if you want them to leave alone too they can keep them in unless they have written permission.

My kids aren’t school age yet but I was walking to and from school (10m walk) myself from primary 3/ 7 years old? Do we not do that anymore? Maybe that’s a bit much these days but not even leaving 8/9 year old siblings together for 5 minutes for the gates opening really? If the school doesn’t allow it it’s different though

Indeed. Two buses to school.
I suspect the school are self preserving against litigation. Accidents, horrible people etc.

When were your kids 7/8 old? @Bikergran ? This was a school bus or public transport?

Yes, some children live in villages without local primary schools so have to travel. Not all parents drive or can take their kids to school.

I didn’t ask you? 😕

This what parents at my DC school do, they just get a classmate's parent to keep a bit of an eye until the kids are through the gate.

Public transport, then crossing at least one main road in rush hour to get to and from school. 1980s and late 1990s. Really don't understand this babying of children when they should be old enough to make simple journeys alone. Poor kids are so obsessively monitored nowadays.

Best to speak to each school abut they can support you. I’m of the age when you walked to school from age 5 but the roads were much quieter. It’s ridiculous that they can’t get into the same school. I know you’ve been through the appeal process but I’d raise this with your local councillors and MP.

Each to their own, but 7 years old - no way would I have wanted this for my DC even if it had been totally cool with the school.

it was 1988 when I was 7 and not a cats chance in hell my parents would have been chilled about that kind of independent travel

from year 5 onwards you can give consent for children to walk to and from school (well could at my sons school).

does the school not have sibling proirity in admissions? Can you go onto a waitlist for a place too (tends to be movement right up to September start dates).

would your older children be able to be schools on sibling preference places too?

i would talk to the school. If they run a breakfast club, that might be your option. How pick up going to work too?