My son has just gone back as Year 4 student this year. Late in Year 3 the school advised that if parents give permission children in Yr 4 would be allowed to walk home. I emailed in the school holidays to give my permission, and have just had the week from hell with not only my son's class teacher but then the Headteacher contacting me every day haranguing me to change my mind and telling me that he should not be allowed to walk home on his own. Far more was said by them, and I have had to defend my decision at every turn. They have stressed me out to the point I sent a letter to the headteacher outlining my reasons and saying that the school should at least let my boy try before they say he is not capable of walking by himself. Obviously the headteacher didn't like this as she sent it to Social Services. This was after the last harassing telephone call, where I insisted the send my son home. The headteacher felt it her right to follow my son all the way home and knock on our door and question him, this was yesterday. Today after school he walked all the way home, was home at approx. 3.40. At approx. 4pm I had a Social Worker on the door as the headteacher referred my son to them. I couldn't believe it. As it is he was a very sensible person. He actually had already asked the headteacher things like what were her actual concerns, did ds look both ways and use all available crossings to which she had to say yes, her concern was that he didn't know what number house he lived in, however he came straight in and locked the door behind him, until she knocked. Do you think I am right to be dismayed that this head hasn't anything better to do than follow my son home, and more from my point of view harassing me to the point of not being able to eat, and actually bubbling when I was talking to the Social Worker, she has stressed me so much. I probably sound stupid but it has been really horrible .