Are school runs really that bad?

[KonkeyDonk]

Following from another thread, are they really that awful?
We've already applied for DD's primary place so probably too late to worry about it but just musing...
We put our catchment school as a second choice (less than 1mile away). First choice is over 2miles away or a 5 minute drive in low traffic. Not sure how long it would take with usual traffic plus notoriously difficult parking! Should I start praying we don't get our first choice ?
I'd prefer to walk if I could but we went for a slightly nicer 2FE over the nearer 3FE. Both rated good but 2FE has better reputation. Now wondering how much it really matters if I end up stuck n traffic non stop!

I dropped mine on the way to work, it was fine from 7 onwards because I didn't walk them in schools had a drop off zone, before that I had to park sometimes closer my house than the school and walk. But I started work at 9 so had no choice (no breakfast clubs then)

@OutlookStalking it is the bullying I was worried about although I talked to the head and he seemed fantastic - I'd vote for him for a PM if I could! It's other people's stories that threw me off but not sure if they would still hold true

@JuneOsborne I think you might be right, no offense taken. I wish I had thought about it before but since most of my friends drive I didn't consider it enough. Hopefully it's not too late to change our minds.

We walked. I actually don’t know anyone who drove. I’m sure there must have been some. It would be hard to park, though, as the area around the school was pedestrianised.

Some schools near me are trialing a "no park zone" near the school too to reduce traffic/safety etc. So parents have to park further away and walk in....(same vein as the random road closures that were happening ).

I would see one morning what it's like actually driving, find a space , walk at 4 year old pave etc. Here its also the drive back to get out of the gridlocked roads! But you might find your area is easier.

Fair play for taking it in the chin @KonkeyDonk.

It's not all on you. It's quite the commitment too.

I'd definitely pick walking distance every time. School run isn't a thing for me anymore as dc walk themselves. Something that dd2 still couldn't do for ages if it wasn't a safe distance

Fwiw DC's primary is a 4 form entry and growing and is a fantastic school. That wouldn't be something I'd factor in when considering

@Maggiesgirl That's a great tip about different alarms, I never would have thought of that, thank you!

Does anyone know if it's common to try change the school after accepting the offer on the national offers day?

Never ever pick a primary that you have to drive to over one you can walk to.

The school run can be relaxing and enjoyable if you're walking and not rushing to work. It's bloody awful if you've got to drive, park and then get to work.

Walking is almost always quite nice. Even when I was rushing off to work. Barely used the car.

Drive it once in a blue moon (now secondary age) and hate it.

I agree parking is usually the issue. School is a mile away here and I have to leave 5 20 minutes before pick up time to get parked. Awful traffic coming out the streets around the school too.

@BertieBotts - even when you're neurotypical, trying to do the school run in a car and get to work on time is awful.

Around here, the parents get to school 20-30 minutes before pick up to secure a spot. If I needed to drive to a meeting in the morning, I would drive the evening before and park up outside the school. Mad!

I walk my yr5 boy to and from school each day unless it’s absolutely tipping it down. I much prefer it to driving as we get our steps in and have a good chat there and back, and it’s less stressful. Getting there by car means leaving earlier than it would take to walk and struggling to park. Also the streets around the school are narrow rat runs with parked cars on each side which almost always involves me having to reverse to let someone through who changes ahead without forethought of passing places. We walk and it’s easy to pick up last minute ingredients for supper from the Tesco express on the way home. I live about a mile from school.

Before you accept the offer, call the admissions teams and check there's space in school choice 2. And talk to them about it. They're the people that'll manage this.

Mine went to school 5 min walk round the corner. The day goes quicker than you think and I never wanted to waste more time driving somewhere. I don't like talking to other parents so used to time it just right! They're at secondary school now and take themselves to a secondary 10 mins away. But dd2 is starting school in September and I'm going to have to do it all over again. Walking is definitely preferable though. It's chaos around the school at drop off and pick up times.

I found 9 years of it tedious, but the alternatives wouldn't be ideal either. (Not having kids/home schooling.) I'd like to have put them on a school bus if it was an option, but it wasn't

Another who would give serious weighting to a local school you can walk to.
It isn't just the daily drive / parking, it is the days when you have to go back and forth (more so if you have more than one dc). The days when your car is in the garage for it's MOT or some other work. The week when you have had an operation or the 3 months when you can't drive, and no-one is passing your house to drop the dc for you. It is the dc being able to walk home on their own as they grow older. It is having friends that live in surrounding roads.
My local school would have to be very poor to lose all that.

@JuneOsborne

Before you accept the offer, call the admissions teams and check there's space in school choice 2. And talk to them about it. They're the people that'll manage this.

Do you mean after I receive the offer but before I accept it? I thought I'm supposed to accept the offer first then change it, so I don't lose a space? If they have a space is there another deadline they look at those people who applied after the national offers day? Sorry I don't really know how it works.

Yes, once you've received it but before you accept.

Pressed post too soon. Because you may be able to decline the offer and get your second choice. But that isn't to be recommended until you've spoke to the admissions people.

I'd ring them now to be honest. Just to talk it through. They're the only ones that can affect anything, so they're the ones to talk too.

@KonkeyDonk I'd be careful calling them though and just ask generally, and make it clear that you don't want to change your preference order now, as doing so could make you be classed as a late application and potentially put you behind everyone who applied on time for both schools.

If you get your first choice, you will be able to ask to be added to the waiting list of your second choice if they are oversubscribed, or to be given a place straight away if they have places available. It may be best to start a new thread in Primary Education and get a definite answer from the admissions experts about whether to accept the school you are offered before asking about the second choice school. You definitely aren't ruling yourself out of the second choice school by accepting the first choice- you can still ask to change or go on the waiting list.

It's not that bad. We have a fairly long round trip. We listen to stories in the car, or choose favourite music for the way home on a Friday. Have some healthy snacks to hand at pick up to munch on. It's not a bad time for the kids to decompress and talk about their day. We've all got used to it fairly quickly. Parking wise, just need to leave plenty of time, be a bit early and know your spots.