Siblings walking to school together concern

[Nome81]

Hi, I'm after some other mums views. My sons are currently year 5 and 6 and I drop them to school on a nearby road, they have been walking to school on their own to and from our car, but they will not walk together at all which makes me feel quite sad and confused as they are constantly together at home and very close. Any ideas as to why this might be the case? I think it's the older one who prefers to be independent and when at school being with his "mates" is more important. But for him to not want to be seen with his brother to even walk into school concerns me a little and I think bad for my younger son as I'm sure he'd happily walk with his brother. When I've spoken about it to them, the older says its because the younger one walks slow! I'm not sure if I'm worrying over nothing but this bothers me, especially as they are both about to move onto secondary school. Am I worrying over nothing? Thanks

Did this with my sibling. Something about having your school head on. Like not wanting your husband popping up for lunch in work canteen. If you're happy they're safe walking independently I wouldn't make anything of it or worry.

Good point, thank you!

Perfectly normal.
Home is home and school is school.

Also - I was the younger one, and school was about being on equal footing with same aged peers, not having another kid in charge of me or bossing me around. Younger may really be walking slowly.

I wouldn't force the issue. The at home relationship is the important one and it might lead to resentment.

My Yr6 leaves five minutes earlier than me and younger sibling...

Yet after school same younger sibling is welcomed into their playing out 'gang'. (Shes 9). I'd never seen anything odd in it.

Different compartments, perfectly normal.

Presumably they'll be at different schools for at least the next school year so it's good for them to be ready to be independent of each other.

Also, they'll have their own friendship groups that they'll be wanting to be with at school - not each other.

Mine get on fine at home, but always make sure they walk separately. They try and meet friends on the way, but they would rather walk alone than be seen together on a school walk.

Just not cool, they both agree on that at least!

My brother and I (same school year gap) used to walk home separately from the same (primary) school, both alone. In our case it was because my brother was a faffer and it infuriated me (the younger one!) to have to wait for him, so I went on ahead. It's beyond annoying to have to match a dawdler!

These responses have been fantastic and so reassuring - thank you all so much, its been bugging me for a while, simply because I don't notice any other siblings doing it (although majority walk with parents, so different). You all have such valid points and has made me feel so much better. Thank goodness for mumsnet!